Beloved Masters broadcaster reveals retirement plan for ‘perfect’ Augusta farewell after 51 years
Jim Nantz is almost as synonymous with Augusta National as azaleas and the iconic Pimento Cheese Sandwich. The legendary broadcaster first covered The Masters in 1986 and his iconic ‘hello, friends’ catchphrase has rang out ever since. GettyNantz makes an annual pilgrimage to Augusta[/caption] Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. CBS star Nantz recently revealed that he has an exact date in mind for when he will call his last round at August. Thankfully for viewers, the famous voice will be on airways for a while yet. Ahead of his 40th Masters, he told Bunkered that 2036 — the 100th edition of the legendary tournament — is likely to be his last. “A lot of things have to happen for that to occur,” he said. “First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back. “But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point. “April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.” Sporting retirements are never set in stone — just ask NFL great Tom Brady. Nantz is no different and he admitted that he could well decide he isn’t ready to put down the microphone. GettyScottie Scheffler is the defending Masters champion[/caption] GettyNantz has called some epic moments, including Tiger Woods’ triumph in 2019[/caption] “I know what’s going to happen,” the 65-year-old added. “I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, ‘You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer.’ “We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees’, I guess.” Nantz hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, which is just 160 miles from the iconic course. He has a special pilgrimage he likes to make before the action gets underway. Recent Masters champions 2024: Scottie Scheffler -11 2023: Jon Rahm −12 2022: Scottie Scheffler −10 2021: Hideki Matsuyama −10 2020: Dustin Johnson -20 2019: Tiger Woods −13 2018: Patrick Reed −15 2017: Sergio Garcia −9 2016: Danny Willett −5 2015: Jordan Spieth −18 “On Wednesday every year, as the Par-3 Tournament is taking place, the big course is going through its final prep,” he said. “As the last players are finishing up their practice at 17 or 18, down at Amen Corner, there are a few folks that are still kind of mingling about and taking pictures. “I go off to the side, park a golf cart down there, and duck under the ropes. Thankfully, I’ve got a credential that allows me to do that. I walk down to the creek fronting the green, walk across the bridge, and I allow myself a quiet moment of reflection. “It’s a spiritual thing, more than anything. It’s a moment of prayer and introspection, and I just give thanks for the gift of being here. “I’ve never taken it for granted that I have a chance to do exactly what I wanted to do as a young boy. So it’s a moment of thanks and gratitude and prayer. “And then, you know, when the time is right, and I’ve said everything in my head that I want to say, I walk across the Nelson bridge and head on back. I’ve done that every year.”
Jim Nantz is almost as synonymous with Augusta National as azaleas and the iconic Pimento Cheese Sandwich.
The legendary broadcaster first covered The Masters in 1986 and his iconic ‘hello, friends’ catchphrase has rang out ever since.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.
CBS star Nantz recently revealed that he has an exact date in mind for when he will call his last round at August.
Thankfully for viewers, the famous voice will be on airways for a while yet.
Ahead of his 40th Masters, he told Bunkered that 2036 — the 100th edition of the legendary tournament — is likely to be his last.
“A lot of things have to happen for that to occur,” he said.
“First off, my health would have to hold up. Secondly, CBS and Augusta National would have to want me to come back.
“But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point.
“April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”
Sporting retirements are never set in stone — just ask NFL great Tom Brady.
Nantz is no different and he admitted that he could well decide he isn’t ready to put down the microphone.
“I know what’s going to happen,” the 65-year-old added.
“I’m going to get to that year, and I’m going to say, ‘You know, maybe I could do this for a while longer.’
“We have broadcasters over here that have gone on well into their 80s, so that’s one of those ‘wait and sees’, I guess.”
Nantz hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, which is just 160 miles from the iconic course.
He has a special pilgrimage he likes to make before the action gets underway.
Recent Masters champions
2024: Scottie Scheffler -11
2023: Jon Rahm −12
2022: Scottie Scheffler −10
2021: Hideki Matsuyama −10
2020: Dustin Johnson -20
2019: Tiger Woods −13
2018: Patrick Reed −15
2017: Sergio Garcia −9
2016: Danny Willett −5
2015: Jordan Spieth −18
“On Wednesday every year, as the Par-3 Tournament is taking place, the big course is going through its final prep,” he said.
“As the last players are finishing up their practice at 17 or 18, down at Amen Corner, there are a few folks that are still kind of mingling about and taking pictures.
“I go off to the side, park a golf cart down there, and duck under the ropes. Thankfully, I’ve got a credential that allows me to do that. I walk down to the creek fronting the green, walk across the bridge, and I allow myself a quiet moment of reflection.
“It’s a spiritual thing, more than anything. It’s a moment of prayer and introspection, and I just give thanks for the gift of being here.
“I’ve never taken it for granted that I have a chance to do exactly what I wanted to do as a young boy. So it’s a moment of thanks and gratitude and prayer.
“And then, you know, when the time is right, and I’ve said everything in my head that I want to say, I walk across the Nelson bridge and head on back. I’ve done that every year.”
