An experienced broadcaster will not be commentating on the Masters at Augusta National
Sports commentator Mike Tirico
A broadcaster will not be involved at the upcoming Masters(Image: Brooke Sutton, Getty Images)
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Mike Tirico has stepped away from his radio duties for the Masters following a busy period for the respected broadcaster. Tirico, who voices the NFL, NBA and Olympics for NBC, has enjoyed a lengthy association with Augusta National.
He anchored ESPN's coverage before his switch to NBC in 2016. The 59-year-old secured a route back to the season's opening major in 2022 as the play-by-play commentator for SiriusXM.
Following a demanding schedule this year, which saw him call the Super Bowl, front the network's debut year of its new NBA contract and anchor the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics coverage, Tirico has created a break in his diary by taking a year away from the Masters.
Taylor Zarzour will spearhead the radio coverage in Tirico's absence. Zarzour serves as the play-by-play commentator for the Tennessee Titans and has been the second announcer for the Masters' radio coverage in recent years.
Tirico has been involved with the prestigious golf tournament in various capacities for nearly 20 years. Speaking to The Tennesseean, Zarzour confirmed that Tirico plans to return to Augusta National in 2027.
"Mike decided this year because he did the Super Bowl and the Olympics, and he's been so busy with the NBA, to take the year off, and they asked me to do it instead," he said. "I'm going to miss Mike because he's just the best there is, and he's helped me so much over the years."
Even after several decades on the microphone, covering some of the biggest sporting events in the world, Tirico doesn't often opt for a more relaxed schedule. Zarzour recalled the moment he took a call from Tirico, who informed him he would be skipping this year's trip to Augusta, where the tournament gets underway on April 9.
"Mike called me from the Super Bowl and said, 'I know I've never said no to anything, but this is the only weekend I am going to have off,'" Zarzour said. "And he was like, 'It's your turn. You need to do this.'
Taylor Zarzour and Greg Norman look on from the SiriusXM radio booth
Taylor Zarzour (left) is set to replace Tirico at the Masters(Image: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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"I said, 'You better be coming back,' and he said he had every intention of coming back. So if it's just this year, great. If it's the next 40 years, great."
Zarzour is embracing the chance to lead the commentary, yet has no issue taking a back seat to Tirico. The experience of working alongside him and CBS frontman Jim Nantz has helped Zarzour sharpen his skills and prepared him for further opportunities.
"It's incredible getting to work with Mike. He is such a great teammate, and I have learned so much from working with him," Zarzour added. "And Jim has been the same way. We work closely with the TV guys."
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