Greg Norman made his first major venture into the broadcast booth during Fox' coverage of the U.S. Open, and he was "observant and insightful," according to Steve Waters of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Several of Fox' other announcers and analysts, "notably Corey Pavin and Brad Faxon, have been surprisingly delightful." The announcers "have a light-hearted, playful attitude" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/21). SI.com's Deitsch wrote he "enjoyed Greg Norman specifically," but it was "hard to tell at times which broadcaster was speaking." Deitsch: "I am sure I wasn’t alone trying to distinguish between Brad Faxon, Scott McCarron and Corey Pavin etc.. given a lack of fonting/IDs." He noted Tom Weiskopf "had a very rough post-game" last night (SI.com, 6/21). GOLF DIGEST's Sam Weinman wrote Norman "has distinguished himself" by providing "thoughtful commentary, and he's clearly done his homework" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 6/19). Golf Digest’s Stina Sternberg: “Greg Norman is far exceeding my expectations. I'd take him over Johnny any day.” But the Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins wrote, “Corey Pavin and Greg Norman are dueling for blandest and most uninsightful commentators.” The Philadelphia Daily News’ Paul Domowitch: “My God. Greg Norman has turned into Bill Walsh” (TWITTER.com, 6/21).
FRESH CUP OF JOE: In Dallas, Barry Horn wrote Fox' Joe Buck "talks to viewers not at them" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/20). NFL.com’s Bryan Fischer wrote, “I think I like Golf Joe Buck more than Football Joe Buck and definitely more than Baseball Joe Buck” (TWITTER.com, 6/21). In N.Y., Justin Terranova wrote Buck "performed solidly, especially given his inexperience calling golf, while Norman was hit-or-miss through most of the first two days." However, Buck and Norman "were too deferential to the course." No one "is asking them to rip the course, but to simply dismiss the concerns was a bit extreme" (N.Y. POST, 6/20).
SUPPORTING CAST: In L.A., Chris Erskine wrote for all of Fox' "gizmos, the commentary stole the show in the first couple of days." Erskine: "I found myself paying the closest attention to Tom Weiskopf's pithy, honest commentary" (L.A. TIMES, 6/21). In Denver, Dusty Saunders writes Fox should replace Norman with Weiskopf "as the analyst teaming" with Buck. Saunders: "I'm convinced Weiskopf, knowledgeable and TV- friendly on pregame and postgame panel shows, would be a much better fit as a tournament analyst. Norman knows the sport. But he missed key occasions when his knowledge should have turned into listenable opinion" (DENVER POST, 6/22). However, the N.Y. Times’ Richard Sandomir wrote Weiskopf and Curt Menefee are "two guys we know probably won't be back on Fox's US Open coverage" (TWITTER.com, 6/21).
CLOSING TIME: In New York, Ken Schott writes the post-tournament show last night on Fox "was a train wreck," beginning with clubhouse reporter Holly Sonders interviewing Jordan Spieth just moments after he won. Sonders' "second question to him was if he had a fifth outfit with him in case of a playoff." Menefee later was "stumbling like crazy during his segment," as he "seemed like he didn't know what to do" (Schenectady DAILY GAZETTE, 6/22). Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Kaduk wrote after a "historical choke job," Sonders "asks Jordan about his theoretical clothes selection." Kaduk: "What a disgrace this Fox coverage has been.” Former MLB Dir of Business PR Jeff Heckelman asked, "What was the point of Holly talking to Spieth right there if Buck's going to talk to him in 5 minutes?" The Chicago Tribune's Ed Sherman wrote Sonders is going to have a "tough time living down" her question to Spieth about his outfits. Sherman: "Not a good day for her." Sports radio host Eric Bickel: "Been biting my tongue all week on Sonders. She has decent golf credentials. But shes embarrassed herself all week in those dumb outfits etc" (TWITTER.com, 6/21). The Vancouver Sun’s Cam Cole: “Pro tip, Holly Sonders: when you get an Ernie Els or Kevin Kisner on to talk about someone else, also ask about his own game” (TWITTER.com, 6/20).
