Nice Paul Azinger Interview

[Nessism]

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/paul-azinger-breaks-silence-parting-with-nbc/

 

Forced out because of money, it seems.  Or maybe he was driven out?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4 by Nessism

[stinger_gc]

No complaints here. Donald was superb in the booth this week, well prepared unlike Azinger and wasn’t too over the top. 
Azinger was horrible last year at LACC (see video below). He obviously never did any pre-tournament prep and was just freewheeling it

 

[kwcsports]

I thought Luke was good as well. Never said too much, didn't mind a little silence.

[PedronNiall]

It sounds like it was about money in terms of them intentionally offering him so little he'd be embarrassed staying. He also sounds very bitter for a not bitter guy.

 

100% agree with the comments above about Donald. Had no idea he'd be in the booth this week but he sounded like he'd been at it for years and managed to avoid any Azinger-style hot takes. Very good flow with the rest of the crew and offered good insights based on his years playing. Chamblee was also great in the booth a few weeks back, to the tune of managing to get some of his haters to even give him a pass. The difference in his/Donald's prep and Azinger's during any broadcast of choice was apparent.

 

Not really a knock on Azinger as his career was as a golfer and I'm sure six figures a year with all travel & lodging included while you still get to be around your peers is hard to turn down. Whatever love he had for the position didn't ever translate into skill in the booth, though, so he shouldn't be surprised at the outcome.

 

Even with Kaufman & Kisner at a minimum you get guys who know all the current players and give insights while also bringing out good energy from them and other guests who come through. What does Azinger bring that's been missing since his departure? What did he add that met or exceeded the opportunity cost of having him in the chair instead of someone else or several other someones?

 

Networks gonna network, and if you're not performing you get the boot.

[MattyO1984]

Azinger is absolutely no loss to the coverage. At times, he could barely string a single sentence together never mind line after line. It was remarkable to me that he ended up doing the job for as long as he did.

 

I can't quite understand his position in the interview - wanted to keep the job, wanted to do it for another year, possibly even another five but then he goes on to say, wouldn't be interested in calling the Tour under the current leadership. Unless I am mistaken, it's the same leadership today as it was back when he was given his offer? 

[Ferguson]

There is more to this "story."    Stay tuned, please. 

 

 

[King_Slender]

8 hours ago, stinger_gc said:

No complaints here. Donald was superb in the booth this week, well prepared unlike Azinger and wasn’t too over the top. 
Azinger was horrible last year at LACC (see video below). He obviously never did any pre-tournament prep and was just freewheeling it

 

 

While I appreciate Zinger's candor here and agree with much of his assessment of the current state of golf, he's not loss to the booth.  

[King_Slender]

12 minutes ago, Ferguson said:

There is more to this "story."    Stay tuned, please. 

 

 

 

Zinger going to the LIV booth for sure.

[WorkItBothWays]

Looks like bad strategy by him and his manager. The digs at the PGA Tour seem founded in bitterness considering he said he wanted continue.

[seis]

How come he hasn’t played on the PGA Champions Tour?

[Nessism]

I make no judgement regarding the job he did as an announcer, but I will say that I liked the interview.  He seems honest and unfiltered.  

 

He thought Monahan has done a crap job with the whole LIV business, which is fair.  And he was taken back by the way Flood treated him during the contract talks.  Also fair.  

 

I hope he's able to stay close to the game in some capacity.  

[Titleist99]

Azinger is a fine commentator for Golf. His comments were insightful, and he gave the audience a glimpse into the players thinking at certain times in the tournament.

 

I recently watched last year's Honda and this year's Cognizant golf tournament.

Azinger was miles better than this year's talking heads. IMO 

 

And yes, like Azinger likes to say, "Pressure burst pipes" He's correct, we see it every week on the PGAT because they're usually playing for something besides cash.

 

Paul is an advocate for the PGAT because it's all about overcoming obstacles and persevering and fulfilling dreams as a kid. Azinger is setting himself up for another comeback. 🙂

[bcjim]

I used to like him when I was a kid.  People said my swing looked like his.  Sadly the results didn't.

 

But he always struck me as a bit surly and I was not a big fan of his time in the booth.

[Rapidcat]

3 hours ago, King_Slender said:

 

Zinger going to the LIV booth for sure.

 

Please noooo

[Rapidcat]

3 hours ago, Ferguson said:

There is more to this "story."    Stay tuned, please. 

 

 

 

Marital problems?

[Titleist99]

3 hours ago, King_Slender said:

 

Zinger going to the LIV booth for sure.

They need to pay Azinger $50M, He'll immediately legitimize that Tour.🙂

[stinger_gc]

52 minutes ago, Titleist99 said:

Azinger is a fine commentator for Golf. His comments were insightful, and he gave the audience a glimpse into the players thinking at certain times in the tournament.

 

I recently watched last year's Honda and this year's Cognizant golf tournament.

Azinger was miles better than this year's talking heads. IMO 

 

And yes, like Azinger likes to say, "Pressure burst pipes" He's correct, we see it every week on the PGAT because they're usually playing for something besides cash.

 

Paul is an advocate for the PGAT because it's all about overcoming obstacles and persevering and fulfilling dreams as a kid. Azinger is setting himself up for another comeback. 🙂

Found Zinger’s burner account 

 

[Ferguson]

46 minutes ago, Rapidcat said:

 

Marital problems?

 

When it comes to TV announcers, trouble delivering on air can often be tied back to trouble " in the home." 

 

 

[PedronNiall]

3 hours ago, seis said:

How come he hasn’t played on the PGA Champions Tour?

He has. Said he might go back in the interview, but didn't seem too enthused. 

[Rapidcat]

12 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

He has. Said he might go back in the interview, but didn't seem too enthused. 

 

let's be honest - it's easier to place judgements on other's performances than be accountable for your own.

 

Social media incl this forum exists on this premise.

[Cactus Jack]

[notsohard]

6 hours ago, Ferguson said:

There is more to this "story."    Stay tuned, please. 

 

 

lol, as funny as you are, there is. 

[Ferguson]

27 minutes ago, notsohard said:

lol, as funny as you are, there is. 

 

I don't like when sports/golf writers play "here's the sizzle", then provide no meat.   

I assure you WRX will find the truth. 

[aenemated]

12 hours ago, Ferguson said:

There is more to this "story."    Stay tuned, please. 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

When it comes to TV announcers, trouble delivering on air can often be tied back to trouble " in the home." 

 

 

 

There it is! 

[mosesgolf]

It's not as bad as Zinger makes it out to be.  Yes the PGAT has lost some big stars and is depleted but that void will be refilled over the next few years as a new crop of young stars emerge and start winning majors.   We still get to see all the big boys at the majors and it's not like the guys that left for LIV were winning 3-4 times per year.  Other than JR most of the other guys were on the tail ends of their career and would've been lucky to win 1 Tour event in any given year.  The PGAT is doing fine and will be doing even better over the coming years.  New stars always emerge.  

[notsohard]

9 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

I don't like when sports/golf writers play "here's the sizzle", then provide no meat.   

I assure you WRX will find the truth. 

[MattyO1984]

 

Zinger in about as much denial as big John is in this one...

[mstuewe]

Zinger used “pressure” twice in his interview.  It’s all he talked about in the booth, it’s what he talk about in retirement.

[clinkinfo]

15 hours ago, mosesgolf said:

It's not as bad as Zinger makes it out to be.  Yes the PGAT has lost some big stars and is depleted but that void will be refilled over the next few years as a new crop of young stars emerge and start winning majors.   We still get to see all the big boys at the majors and it's not like the guys that left for LIV were winning 3-4 times per year.  Other than JR most of the other guys were on the tail ends of their career and would've been lucky to win 1 Tour event in any given year.  The PGAT is doing fine and will be doing even better over the coming years.  New stars always emerge.  

 

 

 

lol, talk about painting a wonderful "the grass is greener over here" picture.  

 

I personally think Azinger's interview with Rick Shields is more accurate.  The best players don't play on the PGA tour anymore, it's fragmented and the tour has absolutely suffered.  It's hard to watch.  

 

I have no clue what comes next, but the idea that "young new stars" will take their place and the PGA Tour will rise again seems quite optimistic.  The PGA has been hurt by their departure and it may not be the same as it was ever again.  And that changes lots of things, like for example the Ryder Cup.  Do we really want only PGA tour players on the Ryder Cup?  As viewers, I don't think so.  But ..... Maybe it will make the majors more significant this year.  I really don't know.

[Pepperturbo]

15 hours ago, mosesgolf said:

It's not as bad as Zinger makes it out to be.  Yes the PGAT has lost some big stars and is depleted but that void will be refilled over the next few years as a new crop of young stars emerge and start winning majors.   We still get to see all the big boys at the majors and it's not like the guys that left for LIV were winning 3-4 times per year.  Other than JR most of the other guys were on the tail ends of their career and would've been lucky to win 1 Tour event in any given year.  The PGAT is doing fine and will be doing even better over the coming years.  New stars always emerge.  

Zinger refers more to the atmosphere surrounding golf, today.  During Zingers day, professional golf was different.  As someone older than PA, and had a relative playing on the PGA Tour in the 50-60s, what's missing most today is character and respect for being able to play on the tour.  

 

I don't see the PGAT the same.  Yes, it appears fine, but the undertow is there, and it's the undertow that is dragging it down.