Who is Peter Alliss? All you need to know about BBC golf commentator who could call it quits

BBC’S VOICE of golf Peter Alliss has revealed he could quit his role as lead commentator at the end of the season.

The legendary 86-year-old has been with the BBC for 56 years after first appearing on TV for then in 1961, but could walk away from the sport that has gifted him so much.

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A controversial figure, Alliss had a successful career as a professional golfer before he made the switch into broadcasting.

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Here’s everything you need to know about the veteran commentator…

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Who is Peter Alliss ?

Peter Alliss is a BBC commentator for golf, and was a former professional player who retired in 1975.

The 86-year-old was born in Berlin, Germany on February 28 1931 as his father Percy was employed as a club professional at the Wannsee Golf Club.

He returned to England when he was a year old, and turned professional when he was 16.

Alliss has been married twice, and has two children with his first wife Joan McGuinness, and four children with his second wife Jackie – tragically his daughter Victoria passed away when she was just 9.

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Alliss never won any major championships – his best results are being tied for eighth on four occasions in The Open Championship.

He played in eight Ryder Cup tournaments between 1953 and 1969, with a record of ten wins, 15 losses and five halved matches, and he and his dad Percy became the first father and son duo to participate in the Ryder Cup after he played in four tournaments between 1929 and 1937.

Sean Connery was the recipient of golf lessons from Alliss before he starred as James Bond in the movie Goldfinger.

Alliss won 31 tournaments in a 28-year career and represented England in the World Cup on ten occasions.

In 2012 he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.

How long has Peter Alliss been a commentator?

In 1961 while still a professional player, Alliss worked for the BBC for their coverage of The Open Championship.

After he retired from the game in 1975, he worked full-time for the BBC, becoming their lead commentator in 1978.

Between 1975 to 2010, he worked for ESPN and ABC Sports for USA's coverage of the sport, and appeared as an analyst for ESPN from 2011 to 2015.

What controversy has Peter Alliss caused?

Last year, the 86-year-old was outspoken in his comments that women should not be able to be members at Muirfield, insisting women should marry men that are members instead.

In 2015, the BBC apologised for a comment Alliss made during The Open when a camera zoomed in on Zach Johnson’s wife Kim Barclay as he lined up a crucial putt.

Alliss said: “She’s probably thinking, ‘If this goes in I get a new kitchen.’”

He has also criticised Tiger Woods for becoming, stating the aura around him has gone, and claiming his father was a frightening bully.