Golf Channel is parting ways with LPGA lead analyst Morgan Pressel.
A report from Golf week Beth Ann Nichols explained the reason for Pressel’s absence from this week’s Annika, the penultimate event of the LPGA season: her contract will not be renewed for 2027.
Paige Mackenzie is in this week’s lead analyst chair alongside Grant Boone. Mackenzie is expected to be a consistent piece of the broadcast going forward, although Golf Channel may not immediately be looking for a one-on-one fill-in for Pressel’s position. (Pressel declined comment when reached by golf week; GOLF has contacted Golf Channel for comment.)
Nichols notes that Mel Reid and Karen Stupoles are expected to play significant roles in next year’s broadcasts.
Where things remain twisted is in the context of Pressel’s future with NBC. Because the Golf Channel is now separated from NBC, it is plausible that she could continue in one chair but not in the other. Nichols learned that while Pressel will not be called for the Golf Channel, he will be in the NBC booth next Sunday, calling the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship.
When Pressel, 38, began working in her current role in 2021, she was still competing on the LPGA. His playing career was notable from an early age; she qualified for the US Women’s Open at age 12, won 10 AJGA events and beat her opponent in the 2005 Women’s Am final, 9 and 8.
Pressel turned professional at 17 and began playing an LPGA schedule before graduating high school. In 2007 he won his first major at the age of 18, which was a record at the time. She won just one other LPGA event, but earned 22 top-three finishes over the next decade and had a winning record in six Solheim Cup teams.
After slipping into the media later in his playing career, Pressel found his way to a bigger role at NBC and the Golf Channel, where he eventually replaced the legendary Judy Rankin, who retired in 2022 at the age of 77.
Pressel could be in consideration for a future Solheim Cup captaincy; served as assistant twice.
The LPGA ends its season next week.
