"It seems to be yet another small step towards substance over style and if they keep going this way..."

Easy there, AA. I'm all for change as much as the next guy, but this is 100% from Augusta. They pulled all commercials from the broadcast a few years ago because of that controversy over women's rights.

As soon as they signed up for this, I was curious who Augusta was going to say who could and couldn't be there -- thanks for passing this along.

/qtvhar

AWESOME

What did Berman do last year at the Masters? USA had broadcast rights. ESPN just got them this year. Maybe you're thinking of the U.S. Open, which Berman has been polluting the first two rounds as the lead announcer the past five years or so?

I think Milehigh is right about the US Open. Perhaps AA is thinking of Sportscenter coverage of the Masters. Whichever, this is still welcome news.

This is wonderful news!!! Nothing is more cringe-inducing than listening to the first couple rounds of the US Open on ESPN and hearing the forced chuckles of Roger Maltbie after a stupid line from Berman. You just know the regular golf announcers at ESPN were always dumbfounded by the network dragging out Berman for a sport he obviously know little about.

What, there will be no mention of Tiger blasting a drive not far down the fairway but "all the way to Athens or Columbia, SC!"? Then how will we know that there have been some long drives? For shame, WWL and Augusta National, for shame.

Yes yes....meant the Open. Thanks. This is the first year of Masters coverage for ESPN and Tirico is a good choice (although Van Pelt would have been better).

I wish Berman would officially retire. Or at least only do NFL Sunday Countdown. It's sad seeing someone I grew up enjoying slide into senility. He's trying to use the same gags he did 20 years ago, that I thought were funny, because I was 12.

I want him to retire so I can remember him fondly. another year or two and my memories will be overshadowed.

Can you imagine the backroom turmoil?

LOL, I bet Berman cried.

Wanna know how I feel about it?

I just gotta laugh...

Everyone knows Augusta selects the announcers for the broadcast. If ESPN had its way, it would have 25 announcers, Sports Reporters, First Take, every Sportscenter for a week, PTI (or at least Wilbon), and Around the Horn there.

This is totally Augusta National's call, and it's a good one. Their leaders lay down the law when it comes to Masters tv presentation. It got McCord banned a few years back ("bikini-wax greens"), and even got the venerable Jack Whitaker tossed (called the crowd a "mob"). Berman would have been a ticking time bomb, and Augusta wanted no part of him.