Paul Azinger to take over lead golf analyst role at Fox Sports

Paul Azinger will become the new lead analyst for Fox Sports golf telecasts in 2016, replacing Greg Norman, according to sources.

Azinger, 56, won 12 PGA Tour titles including the 1993 PGA Championship during his playing career, and captained the winning U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2008. He was an analyst for ABC golf telecasts, where he teamed with Nick Faldo, and has most recently been an analyst for ESPN’s telecasts of the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open.

Azinger will sign a multi-year contract and will partner in the booth with Joe Buck. Their producer is Mark Loomis, who as the coordinating producer at ABC made the decision at the 2004 Tour Championship to team Azinger and Faldo, along with anchor Mike Tirico. The trio worked together through the 2006 season, when ABC lost the rights to telecast PGA Tour events. According to sources, Azinger will work the U.S. Open, the U.S. Senior Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the U.S. Open Women's Open this year.

Fox announced last week that Norman would not return after one year broadcasting USGA events, most notably the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, for Fox.

UPDATE: Fox confirmed Azinger's hire on Wednesday.

"Paul is a respected and trusted voice in the golf community, and he has the credibility of being a major champion with a strong track record of experience in the broadcast booth,” said Fox Sports' executive producer John Entz. “He has been one of golf's most candid and thoughtful analysts and we are excited to add him to our team.”

Azinger had this to say:

"I am honored to partner with FOX Sports and the USGA to provide analysis for the compelling slate of USGA Championships,” Azinger said. “It will especially be an honor to call our nations national championship, the U.S. Open, beginning in June at storied Oakmont Country Club."

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