Gray’s Golf Channel future in doubt after ouster from Northern Trust Open coverage
by Emily Kay on Feb 18, 2011 12:19 PM EST
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February 18 -- Jim Gray may have ticked off his last golfer as a working broadcaster. Golf Channel pulled Gray from its coverage of the Northern Trust Open after the free-lance reporter badgered Dustin Johnson during his first round of the PGA Tour event Thursday.
Gray, who confronted U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin following a press conference last year, angered Johnson, his caddie, and his playing partners by asking the golfer mid-round about showing up late for his tee time. Johnson’s caddie Bobby Brown was particularly unhappy about Gray’s back-nine intrusion, according to CBSSports.com’s Steve Elling.
Johnson incurred a two-stroke penalty for missing his 7:32 a.m. tee time Thursday. Brown took his complaints about Gray to reporters and Gray himself following the round, after which Golf Channel lowered the boom -- perhaps for the final time. Golf Channel spokesperson Dan Higgins declined to comment about Gray’s future, saying it was “an internal issue.”
As for Gray’s ouster from the Northern Trust Open broadcast team, Golf Channel issued this statement Friday: "Our focus is to provide the best possible golf coverage for our viewers. Anything else is a disservice. In order to avoid further distraction, we've decided to remove Jim from this particular assignment."
Gray has made the rounds, working with CBS Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN, and ABC-TV. He has broadcast Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup competitions, as well as numerous other sporting events.
And there’s this peculiar bit of biographical trivia from Golf Channel’s website: Gray has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Gray has been a lightning rod for controversy over the years. He made headlines last year with his widely criticized “The Decision” ESPN telecast, in which he questioned NBA star LeBron James about leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
There was speculation, obviously erroneous, that the altercation with Pavin would spell the end of Gray’s tenure with the Golf Channel. It’s difficult to imagine any circumstances under which Gray would return to the network after his latest run-in.
FanPosts are written by Waggle Room members. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of WaggleRoom.com, editor, Charles Boyer or any other writer or member.
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Let’s hope you’re right on that last sentence. Let him annoy some other sport.
lol – “questioned LeBron James” – that show was a joke. Gray’s line of questioning would have doubled in depth if he had asked if the Heat’s team colors would clash with his regular wardrobe.
(Johnson didn’t miss his tee time – he was just late. Missing the tee time is a DQ)
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
So how late was he ?
another few minutes and he’s DQ’d ? If you are last for a bus, you miss it. If he was late, isn’t that missing his tee time ? ( I’m guessing they have a few minutes spare )
They have a 5 minute time limit from the time their group is called…I’ve heard a couple of times that it’s from the time the last player hits, but I’m not sure about that. Johnson got there inside the 5 minutes.
Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove that they have health insurance, but people don't have to prove they are citizens.
Easy...the 5 minute clock starts
ticking when the last of the group tees off….I have seen other players Teeing it up and hitting, while the other 2 guys are walking down the fairway…Funny to see….STUB
STUB
I think they said on the broadcast that...
Johnson came within about 10 seconds of being DQed. He was on the putting green when he found out his time. He sprinted up a hill (I remember that because they said it was a tough run “even for Dustin”) and was out of breath when he reached the tee.
Mike Southern
www.ruthlessgolf.com
That sound you just heard
was Corey Pavin and his wife dancing in the streets… Jim Gray is nothing but an old fraud who has lost what little credibility he had left after doing “The Decision.”
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