Reviews of Fox' U.S. Open coverage continue to roll in nearly a week after Jordan Spieth hoisted the championship trophy. In Baton Rouge, Scott Rabalais wrote Fox "did a capable job despite a few glitches and the occasional awkward, locker room-like ribbing" from Joe Buck. Greg Norman may not be the next Johnny Miller, but he "provided some strong insights." Fox "needs to do some improving, but its first foray into golf broadcasting wasn't the Hindenburg it could have been" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 6/24). In Boston, Chad Finn writes there were some "appealing new technological elements" about Fox' debut Open. The additional microphones "enhanced the you're-right-there-with-'em approach." But Norman "did not deliver," as he was "strangely tongue-tied, that old familiar on-course charisma and candor jarringly absent when he was called upon." It is unclear whether he "faltered on his own or was not utilized properly by the production team" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/26). In Detroit, Tony Paul wrote the USGA owes golf fans an apology for "selling its soul by moving from uber-capable NBC to ill-prepared Fox." The 12-year deal between the USGA and Fox is "off to an utter disaster." The net's cameras "would've lost a 747 if it landed in the 18th fairway," and Norman "was dull, particularly in comparison to Miller." Paul: "Fox does sports coverage well, especially baseball and football. But it is painfully amateur as can be with golf" (DETROIT NEWS, 6/25). In Tacoma, Dave Boling wrote the best thing Fox can do before next year's U.S. Open is "pay close attention to how ESPN, with Mike Tirico and Paul Azinger, handle the British Open." Tirico has an "immediate and encyclopedic recall of golf lore," something Buck should develop. Fox also should see how CBS covers the PGA Championship and the "distinct on-course voices" of David Feherty, Gary McCord and Peter Kostis. Each of the CBS analysts are "identifiable and authoritative," compared to Fox' "largely indistinguishable" crew (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 6/25).
ON SECOND THOUGHT....: In California, Larry Bohannan wondered, following responses from readers, if he initially was "too soft" on Fox for its Open coverage or if other people were "too tough." Bohannan: "We'll see something about that this week when the U.S. Senior Open is played" (DESERTSUN.com, 6/24).
