It’s not easy to finish under par at the US Open — even if you’re an announcer.
NBC commentator Paul Azinger, 63, has been the subject of fans’ ire for some time, but after miscalculating on a pivotal shot from US Open winner Wyndham Clark on Sunday, fans really piled on the 12-time PGA Tour winner.
When Clark wound up in the rough on the ninth hole, he decided to play his ball on a slope, which Azinger guessed would be a bad idea — wrong.
“He can’t get this one with in 10 feet going to the left, I don’t think,” Azinger said.
Once Clark struck his chip shot, Azinger predicted it wouldn’t find the slope and continued to say it wouldn’t get very close to the hole.
“He’s gonna try to used this hill, but it’s not gonna do it,” Azinger said.
But Clark’s shot landed just about five feet from the hole and he sunk a putt soon after to keep his lead alive.
Some fans were agitated with Azinger’s missed call, as one tweeted, “Maybe Paul should go out on the course.”
It isn’t the first time fans have been frustrated with the commentator’s takes.
Back in March, Azinger exasperated fans when he made an odd remark about Scottie Scheffler needing to keep his emotions in check after he chipped in a big shot for an eagle.
He has also been known to use the word “pressure” constantly to describe big moments.
Fortunately for Clark, Azinger’s premonitions didn’t get in his way en route to his first major title.
Clark won the US Open after finishing 10-under-par to edge out Rory McIlroy by one stroke.
The 29-year-old entered the week having played in six career majors and missing the cut in four, and he only secured his first PGA Tour victory last month.
“Obviously, it’s gone faster than I thought,’’ Clark said. “But I feel like I’m one of the best players in the world. Obviously, this just shows what I believe can happen.’’