At some point, maybe it’s worth keeping it a surprise. So instead of writing about the next man or woman up for the lead-analyst chair on NBC Sports’ golf broadcasts, perhaps we just let you tune in and see which famous face will update you on the week’s golf action.
Yes, NBC’s plan to play musical chairs with its lead-analyst role ever since Paul Azinger’s contract wasn’t renewed has been a difficult game to keep up with. So, who is next?
Notah Begay III.
The 51-year-old former pro will take his turn at the Valspar Championship, which begins today at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Fla.
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Begay has been a longtime on-course reporter for NBC and Golf Channel, a role he first started in 2012 after a playing career that followed his collegiate days at Stanford, where he was a teammate (and became close friends) with Tiger Woods.
“I’m excited and nervous,” Begay told Golf Digest. “If we go back to Johnny [Miller], he made it look so simple and spoke from a strong position of experience. Paul [Azinger] did a wonderful job with his energy, and you could tell he still really loved to watch the game of golf.”
Begay joins a long list of analysts who have “tried out” for the vacant role since Azinger’s departure a few months ago. Kevin Kisner, who worked last week’s Players Championship, Luke Donald, Paul McGinley and Brandel Chamblee have also had their turns. Jim “Bones” Mackay worked the Mexico Open, although he isn’t in consideration for the full-time job; Justin Thomas was off that week, so Mackay helped out.
Dan Hicks and Steve Sands will handle Valspar play-by-play duties.