At Glance
‣ Kevin Kisner, a four-time PGA Tour winner, has decided not to pursue the permanent Lead Golf Analyst role at NBC Sports, choosing instead to focus on his professional playing career.
‣ Kisner’s involvement with NBC started casually through a connection with Tommy Roy, NBC’s lead golf producer, and while he enjoyed the experience, he found balancing broadcasting and playing professionally more challenging than anticipated.
‣ Despite his temporary stints as a golf analyst and the positive reception from NBC, Kisner has prioritized his commitments to playing full seasons on the PGA Tour and personal engagements over broadcasting opportunities.
We had an awesome chat this morning with @K_Kisner , who told us why his future at NBC remains so uncertain, why he refuses to stop grinding on the PGA Tour and the hilarious reason he's not even going to bother with U.S. Open qualifying @AlexMyers3 @S_HennesseyGD
Few better…
— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14)
Kevin Kisner, a name that resonates with golf fans far and wide, has made it clear he’s not eyeing the permanent Lead Golf Analyst spot at NBC Sports. Despite stepping in temporarily since Paul Azinger and NBC parted ways, Kisner’s heart remains on the course. He’s been a familiar voice at The Sentry, the WM Phoenix Open, and The Players, working alongside Dan Hicks and the crew. Yet, in a candid chat on Golf Digest’s The Loop podcast, the four-time PGA Tour champ shared his unwavering commitment to the game.
“The NBC gig? Oh, it kinda fell into my lap,” Kisner revealed. Tommy Roy, a buddy and NBC’s lead golf producer, rang him up during the off-season. They needed someone to fill in. Kisner, already heading to Maui for the Sony Open, agreed to help out. That one-off led to more stints in Phoenix and The Players. But juggling both careers? Kisner laughed, “My wife would have my head if I never showed up at home!”
In a tweet that caught everyone’s attention, @K_Kisner opened up about the balancing act between NBC and the PGA Tour. He’s not ready to hang up his clubs just yet. Despite the allure of broadcasting, Kisner’s schedule is packed with tournaments. He’s told NBC he’ll reassess at season’s end, but for now, his focus is on the game.
NBC’s search for Azinger’s replacement continues, with a temporary analyst expected for the PGA Championship and likely the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Meanwhile, Kisner has other plans. He’s skipping the year’s third Major, not for golf, but for friendship. A promise to celebrate a best friend’s 50th birthday takes precedence over any tournament or TV gig.
“I’m all in for my buddy’s big 5-0,” Kisner said, emphasizing the importance of keeping his word over professional commitments. Working with NBC has been a blast, according to Kisner. The team’s warmth and the new experiences have been invaluable. It’s a path he might consider post-retirement, but for now, the tour calls. Balancing both? A tougher challenge than anticipated, Kisner admits.
