LPGA Morgan Pressel as commentator

[Par4Nate]

3 hours ago, Bad9 said:

I think if "fans" won't watch because of a commentator they aren't really fans and are looking for reasons to justify not watching.

 

Really?  So you’d watch the PGA Tour if PeeWee Herman called the entire tournament every week in character?  Or Mr. Lorensax from Ferris Bueller?

[OBbogey5]

4 hours ago, Treats said:

The LPGA only attracts a very small niche market.

The LPGA is 75 years old. If it can't obtain a really big audience in 75 years, I don't expect the viewing audience to suddenly explode/grow anytime soon.

Attendance many times is not great, as witnessed on TV.

Nelly won 7 times in 2024 and I don't think viewership really took off vs previous years.

 

I think the coverage is good considering how few fans are interested in the product.

I don’t think it’s hard to improve TV production. Needs an overhaul. The same old people are televising it the same old way—as described. Your concession here is deflating 🤣

 

The players need to wake up and move a little. There’s a whole world out there for fun, athletic, attractive, talented, unique females to make an impact through name/image/likeness. The fact that in 75 years there hasn’t been much forward movement is not a reason for not trying to move forward. These gals have the world in their mitts, and they should be surrounding themselves with golf leadership and media production to advance this thing to a more comfortable spot. 
 

Edited February 10 by OBbogey5

[GolfMoose]

1 hour ago, OBbogey5 said:

I don’t think it’s hard to improve TV production. Needs an overhaul.

Agree. The "template" has been identical for several years now hasn't it and could use a refresh....if you put on a broadcast from say 2021 wouldn't it follow step by step the same pattern as  they currently do in 2025?

 

I like the crew but would favor a larger pool with people rotating in and out. That way you hear different perspectives, different anecdotes etc. Currently, if Lydia is scrambling, good chance "she has one of the best short games in golf, man or woman" is about to be said. 😉

 

Even the graphics...there are things I've seen on broadcasts originating outside GC that look worth trying.  Not talking garish colors or cluttered symbols or anything, just things like the little indicator re: what score the leader is at or tastefully showing the current rounds row of the players scorecard so you know how their last few holes have gone w/o the announcer having to brief you.

[DLiver]

Uh, actually televising a golf tournament is incredibly difficult. The fact that they make it look as good as it does is a testament to the talent of the pros they have behind the scenes (sorry, not you Morgan). If you've ever been in the control room during a live sporting event, it would blow your mind how chaotic it seems, yet what goes out over the air is pretty seamless.

 

There's no question (to me anyway), that these telecasts could be much better. But any changes present a substantial challenge to broadcasters. Let's look at the addition of drones to a broadcast. You have to have drone operators and technicians to procure, manage and operate the drones. You have to figure out how to integrate them into the broadcast. And you have to work with the tour (and players) to establish guidelines for their use, plus a feedback loop for dealing with any problems that crop up along the way. And you probably have to consider any local regulations that may impact the use of drones in a given location. This is just one small example of how complicated a live sports broadcast is.

 

I know we like to crap all over guys like Nance and Tirico, but they are incredibly good at what they do. They are without question the glue that holds sports broadcasts together--spending several hours announcing live TV while hearing the controlled chaos of a broadcast in their IFB (earpiece). They let you know what hole you're watching, which reporter is speaking, which shot the player is hitting, etc. etc. etc. It is actually very impressive.

 

Anyway, Morgan has proven she can't get it done, and it is clear to me that they are auditioning replacements for her, i.e. Paige and Brittany (that I'm aware of).

[ChronicSlicer]

Anyone think Angel Yin could work in the booth? She's a free spirit, funny, and has a gift for gab.

[ChronicSlicer]

4 hours ago, Par4Nate said:

 

Really?  So you’d watch the PGA Tour if PeeWee Herman called the entire tournament every week in character?  Or Mr. Lorensax from Ferris Bueller?

Sorry bud but that fruitcake passed away in 23.

[Par4Nate]

16 minutes ago, ChronicSlicer said:

Sorry bud but that fruitcake passed away in 23.

 

I knew someone would post that…. I’m well aware that Paul Rubens passed.  I was using his character as an example.

[SEP1006]

2 hours ago, DLiver said:

nd it is clear to me that they are auditioning replacements for her, i.e. Paige and Brittany (that I'm aware of).

 

I hope your right. But what makes you say that??

[Treats]

3 hours ago, DLiver said:

Uh, actually televising a golf tournament is incredibly difficult. The fact that they make it look as good as it does is a testament to the talent of the pros they have behind the scenes (sorry, not you Morgan). If you've ever been in the control room during a live sporting event, it would blow your mind how chaotic it seems, yet what goes out over the air is pretty seamless.

 

I know we like to crap all over guys like Nance and Tirico, but they are incredibly good at what they do.

Agree.

It's so difficult to do what they do, it looks easy but is not.

 

Grant and Morgan likely are in the booth preparing 4-5 hrs in advance, and working with the producers, directors, researchers, other staff, etc of what will be discussed, etc during coverage.

They will have a ton of paper and laptops on the desk.

 

Never mind having an earpiece with the support staff, producers, directors talking in the background while they try to broadcast/communicate on the coverage.

[Treats]

3 hours ago, DLiver said:

Anyway, Morgan has proven she can't get it done, and it is clear to me that they are auditioning replacements for her, i.e. Paige and Brittany (that I'm aware of).

I'm not so sure of this.

 

Brittany missed the cut, she's a Tampa Bay resident.

She is also close friends with Morgan.

Morgan may have asked her to drop in the booth if she was around the course on the weekend after missing the cut.

 

I believe Lincicome has 2 young kids. She's a busy mom. Likely wouldn't want the workload and travel to replace Morgan.

I also think Brittany is financially stable too and may not need to work FT/PT for GC.

 

If there was a replace to Morgan, I think Karen Stupples would be better than Paige.

But I think Karen may not want the heavier workload vs. being an on course reporter. I'm assuming the on course job has less stress and workload that working in the booth.

Likely a reason Kay Cockrill has never been in the booth FT. I believe Kay's husband is an Exec with the San Fran Giants and both are members at Olympic Club.

 

Oh ya, I don't think Morgan has children, so it's easier for her to focus on her GC role.

Her husband is an Exec with Octagon.

 

FWIW. IMO, Tom Abbott is very good in his role and a fantastic MC at the Rolex Awards dinner. 

Edited February 11 by Treats

[Treats]

2 hours ago, ChronicSlicer said:

Anyone think Angel Yin could work in the booth? She's a free spirit, funny, and has a gift for gab.

Barring no career injury and collapse in her game, gotta believe she'll be on tour for a while.

 

Just because Angel is a free spirit, funny and has a gift for gab doesn't neccessarily translate to success when you are paid professionally to effectively communicate in a broadcast in front of a mic and camera.

 

As a side note, some of these golfers when interviewed and on camera, ham bone it up at times. They are entertainers.

But when you see some, they are not as cheery on the course when there are no cameras around.

 

Lee Trevino has admitted that's he an entertainer and once he leaves the course he wants to be left alone and on his own.

[Raving Shanker]

On 2/11/2025 at 10:00 AM, DLiver said:

Uh, actually televising a golf tournament is incredibly difficult. The fact that they make it look as good as it does is a testament to the talent of the pros they have behind the scenes (sorry, not you Morgan). If you've ever been in the control room during a live sporting event, it would blow your mind how chaotic it seems, yet what goes out over the air is pretty seamless.

I don't think I have ever doubted how difficult it is. But golf tournaments have been televised for 70 odd years now, so a lot of the basic mechanics should be down pat. Making an aircraft is difficult too, but we still expect a passenger plane not to crash.

[PedronNiall]

 

On 2/10/2025 at 6:30 PM, DLiver said:

Uh, actually televising a golf tournament is incredibly difficult. The fact that they make it look as good as it does is a testament to the talent of the pros they have behind the scenes (sorry, not you Morgan). If you've ever been in the control room during a live sporting event, it would blow your mind how chaotic it seems, yet what goes out over the air is pretty seamless.

 

There's no question (to me anyway), that these telecasts could be much better. But any changes present a substantial challenge to broadcasters. Let's look at the addition of drones to a broadcast. You have to have drone operators and technicians to procure, manage and operate the drones. You have to figure out how to integrate them into the broadcast. And you have to work with the tour (and players) to establish guidelines for their use, plus a feedback loop for dealing with any problems that crop up along the way. And you probably have to consider any local regulations that may impact the use of drones in a given location. This is just one small example of how complicated a live sports broadcast is.

 

I know we like to crap all over guys like Nance and Tirico, but they are incredibly good at what they do. They are without question the glue that holds sports broadcasts together--spending several hours announcing live TV while hearing the controlled chaos of a broadcast in their IFB (earpiece). They let you know what hole you're watching, which reporter is speaking, which shot the player is hitting, etc. etc. etc. It is actually very impressive.

 

Anyway, Morgan has proven she can't get it done, and it is clear to me that they are auditioning replacements for her, i.e. Paige and Brittany (that I'm aware of).

 

But the PGA does all the things you mention. They manage drones, handle technical glitches, have added in new tech like shot tracer, plus enhancements like CBS' new augment that shows the path and landing area from multiple other angles. It's not like the LPGA doesn't have talented people to do these things or lacks a pathway to get guidance on implementing them as needed from the PGA. With what the Tour is doing around bringing broadcasting in house they're better positioned than ever to help the LPGA with any knowhow they require. 

 

Most professional ventures have hurdles, but that's not the crux of what is holding the LPGA back from attracting more viewers. 

[Par4Nate]

I really like Lisa Cornwell, who I hear got run out of Golf Channel town by Brandy Champagne.  Shame, because she’s way better than Pressel.  Emilia Migliacco is improving rapidly, and she’d also be a major improvement over Morgan.

[Bob Cat]

I love Morgan.

 

As you were...

[OBbogey5]

On 2/10/2025 at 2:45 PM, GolfMoose said:

Agree. The "template" has been identical for several years now hasn't it and could use a refresh....if you put on a broadcast from say 2021 wouldn't it follow step by step the same pattern as  they currently do in 2025?

 

I like the crew but would favor a larger pool with people rotating in and out. That way you hear different perspectives, different anecdotes etc. Currently, if Lydia is scrambling, good chance "she has one of the best short games in golf, man or woman" is about to be said. 😉

 

Even the graphics...there are things I've seen on broadcasts originating outside GC that look worth trying.  Not talking garish colors or cluttered symbols or anything, just things like the little indicator re: what score the leader is at or tastefully showing the current rounds row of the players scorecard so you know how their last few holes have gone w/o the announcer having to brief you.

Honesly, I blame society for being dumb. How many times do we hear dumb things like “It’s impossible to imagine a world without smartphones..” 

 

Umm, no it’s not. I lived in it. Not difficult even for a second. I hear things like this on TV constantly, like the Lydia comment, and it’s like listening to a child talk to children seriously. It’s either laughable or annoyingly scratchy, but it ain’t good, that’s for sure. 

[WorkItBothWays]

20 hours ago, Par4Nate said:

I really like Lisa Cornwell, who I hear got run out of Golf Channel town by Brandy Champagne.  Shame, because she’s way better than Pressel.  Emilia Migliacco is improving rapidly, and she’d also be a major improvement over Morgan.

I'm indifferent to virtually all commentators/announcers but Lisa Cornwell is often on PGA Tour Live and she's comfortably the worst on there. When she did post round interviews on the PGA Tour for GC I thought she was awful probably what the execs thought too but she's trying to blame a former fellow employee. I really doubt Chamblee does any hiring and firing at Golf Channel.

Emilia Migliacco is good.

[Treats]

2 hours ago, WorkItBothWays said:

I really doubt Chamblee does any hiring and firing at Golf Channel.

 

I think there were other issues within the GC team and not just with Chamblee, that lead to Cornwall's demise and ultimate firing. But, I think Chamblee has enough influence to sway a termination.

 

She said her involement with a LPGA pro (Sarah Kemp, now her wife) that also may have been an issue.

But, we used to see Jerry Foltz & Karen Stupple (in a relationship) on the same broadcast team on GC and often working the same LPGA events.

I believe Jerry left for LIV because of the money??

 

 https://www.si.com/golf/news/ex-golf-channel-anchor-lisa-cornwell-describes-culture-of-sexism-retaliation-in-tell-all-book

[mhdena]

I'm glad she's not on this Thai tournament. I haven't had to mute any of the coverage.

[SEP1006]

1 minute ago, mhdena said:

I'm glad she's not on this Thai tournament. I haven't had to mute any of the coverage.

 

 

Yeh for sure. Helen Alfredsson been doing a really good job and so much more easy to listen to.

 

 

 

[TiScape]

On 2/12/2025 at 11:43 AM, Bob Cat said:

I love Morgan.

 

As you were...

Watched recently and again wasn’t bothered/affected in the least 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

*Maybe I have a brain tumor or something  🤔 

[st1800e]

53 minutes ago, TiScape said:

 

*Maybe I have a brain tumor or something  🤔 

Maybe an ear tumor…..😉

[TiScape]

1 minute ago, st1800e said:

Maybe an ear tumor…..😉

Could be wax buildup

[JungleJimbo]

7 hours ago, SEP1006 said:

 

 

Yeh for sure. Helen Alfredsson been doing a really good job and so much more easy to listen to.

 

 

 

Helen Alfredsson? This week at the Honda LPGA Thailand?

 

I’m watching the “World Feed” ie with Tom Abbott, Catriona “Beanie” Matthew, and Sandy Mackenzie. Is Alfie on the Golf Channel’s commentary team this week instead?

 

If you meant Catriona "Beanie" Matthew ... then "+1" i agree that she is very easy on the ears (that Scottish brogue & the experienced / respected golf pro & Solheim Cup captain).

 

... but Morgan Pressel is nearer the age of current LPGA pros, so arguably / theoretically has a better "connection"/ rapport w.r.t. getting the inside scoop for the broadcast studio?

Edited February 23 by JungleJimbo

[URStillAway]

5 hours ago, mhdena said:

I'm glad she's not on this Thai tournament. I haven't had to mute any of the coverage.

Yes it was nice.    I watched the whole 4 hour third round with the sound on.   

[SEP1006]

10 hours ago, JungleJimbo said:

Helen Alfredsson? This week at the Honda LPGA Thailand?

 

I’m watching the “World Feed” ie with Tom Abbott, Catriona “Beanie” Matthew, and Sandy Mackenzie. Is Alfie on the Golf Channel’s commentary team this week instead?

 

If you meant Catriona "Beanie" Matthew ... then "+1" i agree that she is very easy on the ears (that Scottish brogue & the experienced / respected golf pro & Solheim Cup captain).

 

... but Morgan Pressel is nearer the age of current LPGA pros, so arguably / theoretically has a better "connection"/ rapport w.r.t. getting the inside scoop for the broadcast studio?

 

 

You might be right on that. For some reason I thought I heard them say Alfredsson a few times.

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

It's not wrx without some commentator getting tossed under a double decker a few times a day (every day . . . for years), lol.

[lopey986]

On 2/10/2025 at 2:08 PM, Par4Nate said:

 

Really?  So you’d watch the PGA Tour if PeeWee Herman called the entire tournament every week in character?  Or Mr. Lorensax from Ferris Bueller?

As long as they don't disable the mute button on my TV.

[gvogel]

On 2/22/2025 at 10:47 PM, JungleJimbo said:

Helen Alfredsson? This week at the Honda LPGA Thailand?

 

I’m watching the “World Feed” ie with Tom Abbott, Catriona “Beanie” Matthew, and Sandy Mackenzie. Is Alfie on the Golf Channel’s commentary team this week instead?

 

If you meant Catriona "Beanie" Matthew ... then "+1" i agree that she is very easy on the ears (that Scottish brogue & the experienced / respected golf pro & Solheim Cup captain).

 

... but Morgan Pressel is nearer the age of current LPGA pros, so arguably / theoretically has a better "connection"/ rapport w.r.t. getting the inside scoop for the broadcast studio?

I'd take Catriona any day.

[Par4Nate]

8 hours ago, gvogel said:

I'd take Catriona any day.

 

If only we had that choice.  I’m not looking forward to when this Asian swing ends and we get our awful U.S. broadcast team back calling LPGA events.  I’ve really enjoyed watching the last couple events, but I won’t tune in if Morgan’s screeching through the TV.