Paul Azinger Out As Lead Golf Analyst for NBC Sports

The longtime broadcaster's contract was not renewed and his departure is effective immediately.

(AP) — Paul Azinger will no longer be the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports, ending his five years with the network at the Ryder Cup without even knowing that was his last event.

“With the golf and media landscapes now in a more challenging environment, Azinger and NBC will part ways as their current contract ends,” according to a statement from his manager.

Paul Azinger was the lead analyst for NBC for five years.  :: Ben Jared/Getty Images

Azinger chose not to discuss more specifics to why another contract wasn’t done, only to say Sunday morning it was a mixture of disappointment and surprise. His career in the booth ends abruptly, even missing the Hero World Challenge the first weekend in December, where tournament host Tiger Woods is playing for the first time since April.

“I have treasured working beside Dan Hicks and the other talented NBC broadcasters as well as lead producer Tommy Roy and all those behind the scenes,” Azinger said in a statement. “They are a remarkable team, and I will miss them tremendously. My thanks to them and the countless others who have supported me and helped me along the way during my work in television. I have faith in what the future holds for me, for NBC, and for the great game of golf.”

NBC now has parted ways with three of its most notable voices in the last calendar year as part of its regular broadcast team—Azinger, Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch.