Tour News
Greg Norman out as Fox’s lead golf analyst
Two-time major champion Greg Norman is out as lead golf analyst at Fox Sports just a year into the network’s 12-year deal with the USGA.
Links Magazine broke the news on Twitter, and Geoff Shackelford filed a report for Golf World confirming the story. John Entz, President of Production and Executive Producer for Fox Sports, later confirmed the company’s decision.
According to a release from Fox Sports, both parties have agreed to “an amicable separation,” and Norman will continue to work with Fox to broadcast the Franklin Templeton Shootout (formally the Shark Shootout), which takes place each December at the Tiburon Golf Club (Naples, Fla.) that Norman designed.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to make this change to our USGA Championships coverage,” Entz said. “We want to thank Greg for his contributions last year, and wish him success in all his current and future endeavors.”
Opinions were mixed about Fox’s first year of coverage, to say the least, and takes on the Great White Shark’s work followed suit.
For example, he was praised for his enthusiastic analysis of Jason Day’s vertigo at the U.S. Open, but widely criticized for going mute when Dustin Johnson missed 72nd-hole putts to win, and then tie, the tournament.
Norman couldn’t have been presented with a nicer lie in the center cut of the fairway, having suffered major meltdowns himself, but he swallowed his microphone at a crucial moment.
“I put a lot into my role this past year and really enjoyed the time I spent with the commentary team,” Norman said. “I have a long history with Fox and wish them well on their journey showcasing USGA Championships. I also want to thank David Hill (former Head of Fox Sports) and the USGA for believing in me and instilling their vote of confidence in me from the outset.”
According to Shackelford, Fox is keen to land ESPN’s Paul Azinger as Norman’s replacement beside Joe Buck.
- LIKE72
- LEGIT19
- WOW21
- LOL9
- IDHT2
- FLOP5
- OB5
- SHANK43
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE7
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- LIKE7
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
Pierceson Coody WITB 2024 (April)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi 10 (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi 10 Tour (15 degrees)...
WITB Time Machine: Billy Horschel’s winning WITB, 2017 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
The tournament bearing the name of one of golf’s all-time greats is now known as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson....
Austin Cook WITB 2024 (April)
Austin Cook what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Ping...
-
19th Hole1 week agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole1 week ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
Equipment3 weeks agoWhat we know about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed Avoda irons
-
19th Hole5 days agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
don d.
Jan 23, 2016 at 1:47 am
loved norman as a player , I wish he would come back. As a tv commentator he was horrible. The us open at chambers bay was a disaster. I have been to a few and they are awful. Not fan friendly at all. They say Chambers Bay was the worst. The USGA sold out to fox network and look what they got. Look on the bright side only 13 more years to go.
Bar
Jan 21, 2016 at 9:44 am
Don’t have a problem with The Shark. Just pray Mark Roe doesn’t get a gig on US Golf. Mind you they are all becoming real luvvies, afraid to open their mouths about each other. This latest horse manure where they all start apologizing when a player says a bad word is silly. Get a life guys.
Nihonsei75
Jan 20, 2016 at 8:37 pm
Agree with the Norman’s silence being good…..being golden. As a lover of the game and a spectator in constant admiration, anything said about the misses would have destroyed my internal dialogue, the same disbelief and agony most of us shared, twice in two putts. My living room fell silent. Norman could have spoke from my couch and got kicked out for not allowing us to process. He did well. I remember better Orange Festival coverage from my high school homeroom broadcast teams. And was it The Shark who boiled the pro game down something meaningful while DJ picked up his child and held his child on the way to the scoring table? Topnotch, whoever it was!
Bob Jones
Jan 20, 2016 at 8:18 pm
My complaint was that there were so many people sharing broadcast duties it seemed like an on-the-air audition. Norman was OK. Buck is out of his element, like Terry Gannon was when he switched from ice skating to golf, and still is to a lesser extent. At least there was no Chris Berman.
As for Norman’s silence when Johnson three-jacked from 12 feet, haven’t most of us been on the practice green and played the “This putt is for the U.S. Open title” game? We knew exactly what to think without any help from an announcer. This was the perfect time to be quiet.
Lou
Jan 20, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Number one reason why my USGA membership is not being renewed this year is the AWFUL mess made of the US Open and other USGA broadcasts which involved Joe Buck. Bad enough he appears in NFL broadcasts where I watch with the sound muted. The Shark was fine, but the Buck must stop where it is.
Number two was the selection of joke golf course selected for the venue. If I wanted to watch the British Open again I would have recorded the original. The USGA REALLY needs to take a hard look at itself and what some believe is “good for the game”. Count me among the disgusted, and you may quote me, Lou Eichler, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Busterpar
Jan 20, 2016 at 1:54 pm
Fox’s coverage of golf is/was as bad as their so called “news” channels are at covering – well, anything except right wing propaganda.
GMatt
Jan 20, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Yeah, and watching NBC, CNN, and CBS broadcast their “left wing” lies are just as successful
sss
Jan 20, 2016 at 1:57 am
Fox golf coverage sucked the big one. Especially their camera angle during crucial putts was really bad – you couldn’t tell whether it was going to be a make or miss. No commentator could make up for those issues…
Matthew Bacon
Jan 19, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Thank God, Norman was horrible. Unfortunately the rest of the crew and production wasn’t much better. Heres hoping Norman quietly rides off into the sunset, even though I’m not holding my breath.
Russell Platt
Jan 19, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Need more shots of the hotties at the game. Jim Nance needs to go, and Norman being quiet was weird, maybe he just related to it soo much…
Morgan
Jan 19, 2016 at 10:33 am
Greg was an average commentator … not good, but not bad. His comments felt a little ‘forced’, but his knowledge of the game and being a past champion certainly helped him.
A little silence can be golden when you have 80,000 fans going crazy, and players storming the field. Golf broadcasts need commentary.
When he Dustin choked the putt, Greg probably should have said: “That’s what US Open pressure can do to even a great player. The hole probably looked like a thimble.” and added “trust me, I’ve been there myself … anything can happen in the final round of a major, and it just did”.
Easy for me to second guess 4 months later. Personally, I agree with everyone else here, I would rather listen to Greg than Joe Buck. Joe Buck has forced to me to turn the radio broadcast on during baseball and football. For golf, I will just have to turn the sound off. He is that bad.
G daddy
Jan 19, 2016 at 9:39 am
Joe Buck is out of his league in golf and a horrible announcer in general. Norman wasn’t great, but it was good to hear his perspective on things. Azinger would be terrific as would a lot of the Golf Channel’s team – they all do a good job (except that clown Chamblee – I love the Golf Channel, but can’t turn off the channel fast enough when he starts speaking).
RoGar
Jan 19, 2016 at 10:26 am
You are disrespecting clowns comparing them to the mouth Cham (who)!!!
MarkB A
Jan 19, 2016 at 6:45 pm
I do not like Joe Buck. Is Johnny Miller still at NBC? I still think Johnny is the best followed by Faldo. I cannot stand Jim Nantz.
Matto.
Jan 19, 2016 at 1:14 am
I for one really enjoyed his commentary, but I’ve always been a fan.
His silence during the DJ putt(s) were spot on I thought. It seems U.S sports journalism is always looking for a headline style quote when anything dramatic happens. When in fact, in Greg’s head, he was probably in DJ’s group, paying him the respect he deserved by keeping silent.
I’m quite sure he doesn’t give a sh*t either way to be honest, banking tens of millions every year. Whatever.
Wallace
Jan 19, 2016 at 8:26 am
+1 on the need to fill every second with loads of BS. So irritating, Euro coverage is worlds ahead of the US.
john
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:38 pm
i just hope fox ignore the vocal minority and keep showing us the pro-tracer constantly, best thing that’s ever happened to golf coverage… seeing a guy swing, then a ball on a blue background then it landing on a green is so boring it’s ridiculous – how high did he hit it, what shape did he use, did it balloon or did he drill it? I was neither way with greg, he was no worse than any of the other previous experts we’ve had covering golf over the years (Townsend from the european tour is still my favourite)
ooffa
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:04 pm
I understand. He sucked as a commentator. He had a built in audience that wanted to hear from him and then at a pivotal time during the US Open and he choked. I mean really Fox, you didn’t see that coming.
Egor
Jan 18, 2016 at 7:34 pm
At the end of the day….
Vito
Jan 18, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Now get rid of joe Buck. He’s terrible at everything he does.
Fahgdat
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:37 am
+1 !
MarkB A
Jan 19, 2016 at 6:46 pm
+1 billion
Gordon
Jan 18, 2016 at 11:27 am
And they keep Joe Buck????????????????? I do not know how the rest of you feel but when Joe Buck is doing golf I turn off the sound,
Eric
Jan 18, 2016 at 11:34 am
Joe Buck is excellent. You don’t have a clue. He’s the top NFL guy.
Jean
Jan 18, 2016 at 11:44 am
Joe Buck should stick to the NFL and leave MLB and PGA alone
Billy Walker
Jan 18, 2016 at 1:19 pm
So with that deduction, John Madden would have made a good golf commentator ?
Mat
Jan 18, 2016 at 2:52 pm
“Oh, awesome! Joe Buck is calling this game!”
-No one, ever.
Travis
Jan 18, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Mr Buck is the reason I quit watching post season MLB…and I love baseball. At least McCarver is out.
blake
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:03 pm
Go to a Mexican restaurant and watch the Spanish telecast. I’ve done this for the last 2 all-star games and it is much better.
Mat
Jan 19, 2016 at 10:16 am
We got some of the Matt Vascursian (sp) call last year with the power outage… and it was glorious. 🙂
Dillio
Jan 18, 2016 at 11:44 am
amen, Joe Buck is terrible, he definitely did not get his fathers talent.
MarkB A
Jan 19, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Joe Buck is another daddy’s boy who got his gig thanks to daddy.
Mat
Jan 18, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Remember, these are the same geniuses that put Gus Johnson on European soccer…
Shortangry1
Jan 18, 2016 at 11:24 am
Greg is an icon, the reason I play this silly game. Admired him then, and now.
Fahgdat
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:42 am
We can’t be all dumb Aussies
Rob
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:59 am
Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. I thought going quiet when Johnson choked was the best thing he could have done, everybody else was speechless in the moment too.
Mat
Jan 18, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Fox is obviously about making noise all the time, and as loudly as possible. It’s an American sports thing. Sometimes the best commentary is shutting up and letting the event speak for itself. To say Norman “choked” is about as lazy as it gets; dragging up a playing career as if it is the same thing is exceptionally weak journalism. EVERYONE went silent on that second putt – except the truck. In the truck, they went bonkers because they got Monday off.
If you think Paul Azinger is going to be the answer, you are in for a shock. You’re as likely to get a take on the GOP as you are golf. In that way, he’s perfect for Fox. Go ahead – look him up on Twitter…
Christestrogen
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:37 am
I thought he was good….azinger is a great choice but I had no problem with him going mute when Johnson missed those putts…
He would’ve been roundly criticized had he talked or stayed silent…
I can see it now in the forums:
“Dustin Johnson missed a putt and Greg Norman makes it all about him(also Bubba is a terrible person)”
That looks about right for a forum title.
-Christosterone
JJVas
Jan 18, 2016 at 10:14 am
Norman obviously doesn’t need to do this. I always saw him as more of the, “We’d like to welcome Greg Norman to the booth for two segments and get his take” kind of role. I appreciate him in that capacity, but it’s not like he’s traveling with these guys anymore enough to know what’s going on with each of them. The stories from 1991 get old.