Hazel Irvine quits BBC Golf coverage; Eilidh Barbour takes over

Hazel Irvine will front the BBC’s coverage of the Masters for the final time this year.

Irvine has been a key figure in BBC golf coverage for 25 years and the lead anchor of the sport since 2009.

She’ll continue to present snooker and major events for BBC Sport including the World Snooker Championship in April.

Eilidh Barbour will take over as the BBC’s golf TV presenter, starting with the BMW PGA Championship in May.

“I was pleased to be offered another long-term contract with BBC Sport to continue presenting snooker, golf and major events,” said Hazel on her decision to leave BBC’s golf coverage.

“However, after much thought, I have decided that in what is my 30th year in broadcast sport, I want to realign my on-air commitments around the changing needs of my family.

“I have loved working with my brilliant friends and colleagues on the BBC golf team and look forward to being in Augusta to see Danny Willett defend his title and to savouring the unique atmosphere of the Masters one more time.

“I am delighted that a fellow Scot, Eilidh Barbour, will be given this chance. I’m sure that she will enjoy it as much as I have.”

Eilidh has presented and reported on a range of BBC Football output – including FA Cup, Football Focus, MOTD2 Extra, Final Score and Euros 2016. She also fronts the BBC’s women’s football and women’s 6 nations output as well as working on the radio coverage for golf and rugby.

The 2017 Masters – the first golf major of the year – takes place from Thursday, 6 April
and ends on Sunday, 9 April. The BBC will air highlights of the first two rounds and live coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.