He’s been a PGA Tour star, and more recently was seen by many as a commentator for Fox’s coverage of the U.S. Open. But when Scott McCarron turns 50 this month, he’s also planning on concentrating his efforts on playing the Champions Tour, including a stop at the Shaw Charity Classic. McCarron has Canadian connections and a huge fondness for the country, and spoke to Global News about coming to Calgary for the tournament.
Global News: Have you ever been to Calgary?
McCarron: I drove through Calgary when I played the Canadian Tour in 1992. Vancouver to Panoka to play Wolf Creek. I’m a Canadian Tour survivor. I should have a t-shirt with that on it. I have a lot of great memories. I’m half Canadian on the good side—my mother is Canadian. The Canadian Open for me was always a big deal. After college I stopped playing for about four years and the Canadian Tour was my first tour back around 1992. It was a big deal for me because every event we played in was a big event in that town. We had media, galleries, four rounds and a cut. It was the first time I played a legitimate tour and prepared me for the PGA Tour.
Global News: How many events do you expect to play?
McCarron: I’m going to play every event I can. My first event is the Senior British Open and I’ll play nine or 10 events for the rest of the year. The only ones I’ll miss are when I’m lead on course analyst for Fox. I’m only working four events for Fox, but I’ll play full-time on the Champions Tour.
Global News: You’ve been working with Fox as an on-course analyst. What has that experience been like?
McCarron: What I bring is the insights of a player—I’m still playing and players are less reluctant to talk to me because I’m still out there. I worked 12 events each year for Golf Channel when I was hurt, and I still want to play. To have four events to cover allows me to play and do the television work.
Global News: What’s the best part of joining the Champions Tour?
McCarron: I haven’t had a schedule in the past few years. I’ve played on the PGA Tour and it is hit and miss. I’ve been playing like once a month at 48 or 49. I feel like I have a full schedule again and I’m playing against really good players. Over three rounds on the Champions Tour they start out fast and you have to make birdies to keep up with them.
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