Eilidh Barbour to take over BBC golf role from Hazel Irvine

Hazel Irvine, the BBC's golf anchor since 2009, is to sign off from the role after next week's Masters, with another Scot, Eilidh Barbour, '¨having been appointed as her replacement.

Hazel Irvine is stepping down after the Masters. Picture: Richard Ansett/BBC

Irvine, pictured, who has been part of the BBC golf team golf for 25 years, said her decision was based on wanting to devote more time to her family. “After much thought, I have decided that, in what is my 30th year in broadcast sport, I want to re-align my on-air commitments around the changing needs of my family,” the 51-year-old said. “I have loved working with my brilliant friends and colleagues on the BBC golf team and look forward to being in Augusta to savour the unique atmosphere of the Masters one more time.”

Barbour, from Dunkeld, was part of the BBC Five Live team at last year’s Open. She tweeted: “Hazel is the standard I aspire to emulate. A huge inspiration to me personally. To follow her is a dream come true.”

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport said of Irvine, who will continue presenting snooker and major events: “It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Hazel,having been the familiar face of the sport for 25 years.”