Golfweek learned from multiple sources, that Brad Faxon will join the NBC Sports & Golf Channel announce team in 2023.
Golfweek first reported that Gary Koch (69) and Roger Maltbie (71) would not be returning for the next season. Maltbie and Koch were informed by the network that the decision was to “refresh” their team for the future.
Faxon, 61 has won eight times on PGA Tour, twice on PGA Tour Champions, and is well-known for his putting skills. As a putting coach, he still works alongside Rory McIlroy. In 2010, he began his career in TV, competing in seven events for NBC Sports before moving to the senior tour at the age of 50.
For five years, he was Fox Sports’ lead golf analyst. The network had the rights to USGA events and the U.S. Open. Faxon provided analysis for Sky Sports since NBC repurchased the package of events. Sky Sports is a subscription-based channel in the United Kingdom, Ireland and USA that, along with NBC, Golf Channel and Golf Channel, are owned by Comcast.
Faxon will likely take over one tower assignment and contribute to various ancillary programming, such as the popular “Live From” show at majors. Faxon declined comment.
Rory McIlroy, Brad Faxon and Brad Faxon practice at Pebble Beach Golf Links ahead of the 2019 U.S. Open. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images).
Kaufman, 31 years old, played at LSU. He won the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open 2015, and was part of the final group in the 2016 Masters. However, Kaufman has had trouble with his game and is no longer exempt. His coverage included the PGA Championship, NBC’s Peacock coverage and the U.S. Open. The Golf Channel also has a few fall events, including one for junior.
Kaufman will be an on-course analyst. This is in direct response to CBS’s hire of Colt Knost last season, who was promoted from a part time role to a full-time job this season.
Gary Williams, a former host of Golf Channel, said that Kaufman is savant-like and can talk like himself and think in 12 seconds.
“Is it my destiny? Kaufman said that he didn’t know if he would continue to do TV. “But it seems to me that this is what I like doing right now. We’ll see. It seems like that’s the direction I’m heading right now.”
Kaufman did not respond to text or phone messages.
Golfweek also learned Curt Byrum will be promoted to the top PGA Tour team, as well as work in the “super tower”, taking over the role of David Feherty. Justin Leonard will take over the TV role, focusing full-time on the senior circuit.
Byrum, 63 years old, won the 1989 Hardee’s Classic of the PGA Tour and has been an analyst for Golf Channel since 2001. Byrum was the only Golf Channel analyst who was promoted to NBC immediately after the merger of NBC and Golf Channel.
One NBC Sports veteran said that he was both underrated as well as underappreciated. Details were still being finalized so he could not speak about the hirings.
Byrum stated that his contract was due to expire in December. He said that he had “thrown his hat into the ring but not confirmed yet.”
Leonard, 50, spent the past few years working as an analyst for “Live From” and contributing to the site. But, the former British Open champion has decided to take up full-time playing on the Champions Tour. After turning 50, he played at the Valero Texas Open, his last PGA Tour event, and made four starts in the Champions Tour, with a best of T-14 at Furyk & Friends. Leonard could make a few appearances on NBC, like at the Ryder Cup. Notah Begay III also turned 50 this year. He played twice on Champions Tour and is expected to make his playing schedule around his television role.
A spokesperson for NBC Sports responded that they were focusing on Roger Maltbie’s celebration and Gary Koch’s PNC Championship. They will announce any other changes to their lineup early next year.
NBC will likely announce the hirings soon, but may delay until after the PNC Championship ends Dec. 31, out of respect for Koch who will be finishing his last event.
NBC will follow in the footsteps CBS, which cut ties with Peter Kostis (late 2019) and Gary McCord (late 2019) as part of a youth organization in its announcing staff. Nick Faldo (65), retired in August. The Eye promoted Trevor Immelman (43), to the top analyst post next to Jim Nantz.
By: Adam Schupak
Title: Smylie Kaufman, Brad Faxon to join NBC Sports/Golf Channel in 2023; Curt Byrum gets David Feherty's seat
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/12/02/nbc-golf-channel-smylie-kaufman-brad-faxon-curt-byrum/
Published Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2022 17:41:50 +0000
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