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Tiger Woods’ iconic Masters triumph saw commentators fall silent after bold last-gasp decision
Jim Nantz said four words and then nothing for two minutes and 38 seconds. Fans heard the roaring crowds, they saw Tiger Woods celebrate on the green, hug his family, and take in the adulation of his fellow pros on the way to the clubhouse. APWoods celebrates his fifth Masters triumph[/caption] For a man who is paid to talk, Nantz’s decision was a bold one. It may end up defining a career that has already spanned five decades and is set to continue into another. Coming into the 2019 Masters, Woods was in the midst of an 11-year Major drought. He entered the third round two shots behind Francesco Molinari and put on a masterclass. A short putt for bogey on the 18th was far from the greatest of his career but it was one of the most historic as the golf icon won his 15th Major. “The return to glory,” said Nantz, before falling silent allowing the celebrations room to breathe. Nothing needed to be said. He revealed in a chat with Bunkered that his decision came as the ball rolled into the hole. “There was nothing left to say,” he explained. “Anything that was uttered after that moment was pure clutter. It really needed its own space and time. “This is not something most people are aware of but, on that occasion, I called the 18th hole from the catacombs of the Butler Cabin, down in the basement, preparing for the ceremony there. “I was not right next to the green like I have been so many times. But Sir Nick [Faldo] was in the tower, so we were communicating without looking at one another, which can be difficult and tricky. The golf great headed straight for his familyRex GettyNantz hatched a plan for the perfect coverage[/caption] “It can lead to cross-talk, which you don’t want, and certainly not at a moment like that. “As soon as it went in, I said ‘The return to glory’. I really, truly never had any idea what I was going to say until it pretty much left my lips. “But I hit a little switch that we have where our headset panel is, which goes right to the producer, Lance Barrow. He’s retired now but I said to Lance, ‘I’m not going to say anything for a long, long time, and please let Nick know that as well. I think we should remain silent.’ “He said, ‘Absolutely.’ And I said, ‘Tell Nick that I will go first, so that, you know, two minutes down the line, we don’t start talking at the same time. “We waited and waited and waited, and it ended up being two minutes and 38 seconds. I only know it because I’ve been asked about it a few times.” After chants of ‘Tiger, Tiger, Tiger’ broke out in the crowd as the all-time great walked with his son Charlie, Nantz broke the silence. Woods is not in the hunt for a green jacket in 2025Getty “I never thought we’d see anything that could rival the hug with his father in 1997 but we just did,” he began. “That will be the greatest seen in golf forever, Jim Nantz,” said Faldo, who has been alongside the CBS Sports icon for 15 years. Nantz called his first Masters in 1986 and is well aware of what he will be remembered for. “People have said, in my 40-year career, that’s the best two minutes and 38 seconds I’ve ever done,” he told Bunkered, where he also outlined his plan to retire after the 100th edition of the famous tournament in 2036. Woods will not be competing this year after undergoing surgery. At 49 years of age, the chances of him adding to his 15 Majors are dwindling. If a miracle does happen, there is only one man who should be on the call.
Jim Nantz said four words and then nothing for two minutes and 38 seconds.
Fans heard the roaring crowds, they saw Tiger Woods celebrate on the green, hug his family, and take in the adulation of his fellow pros on the way to the clubhouse.
For a man who is paid to talk, Nantz’s decision was a bold one.
It may end up defining a career that has already spanned five decades and is set to continue into another.
Coming into the 2019 Masters, Woods was in the midst of an 11-year Major drought.
He entered the third round two shots behind Francesco Molinari and put on a masterclass.
A short putt for bogey on the 18th was far from the greatest of his career but it was one of the most historic as the golf icon won his 15th Major.
“The return to glory,” said Nantz, before falling silent allowing the celebrations room to breathe.
Nothing needed to be said.
He revealed in a chat with Bunkered that his decision came as the ball rolled into the hole.
“There was nothing left to say,” he explained. “Anything that was uttered after that moment was pure clutter. It really needed its own space and time.
“This is not something most people are aware of but, on that occasion, I called the 18th hole from the catacombs of the Butler Cabin, down in the basement, preparing for the ceremony there.
“I was not right next to the green like I have been so many times. But Sir Nick [Faldo] was in the tower, so we were communicating without looking at one another, which can be difficult and tricky.
“It can lead to cross-talk, which you don’t want, and certainly not at a moment like that.
“As soon as it went in, I said ‘The return to glory’. I really, truly never had any idea what I was going to say until it pretty much left my lips.
“But I hit a little switch that we have where our headset panel is, which goes right to the producer, Lance Barrow. He’s retired now but I said to Lance, ‘I’m not going to say anything for a long, long time, and please let Nick know that as well. I think we should remain silent.’
“He said, ‘Absolutely.’ And I said, ‘Tell Nick that I will go first, so that, you know, two minutes down the line, we don’t start talking at the same time.
“We waited and waited and waited, and it ended up being two minutes and 38 seconds. I only know it because I’ve been asked about it a few times.”
After chants of ‘Tiger, Tiger, Tiger’ broke out in the crowd as the all-time great walked with his son Charlie, Nantz broke the silence.
“I never thought we’d see anything that could rival the hug with his father in 1997 but we just did,” he began.
“That will be the greatest seen in golf forever, Jim Nantz,” said Faldo, who has been alongside the CBS Sports icon for 15 years.
Nantz called his first Masters in 1986 and is well aware of what he will be remembered for.
“People have said, in my 40-year career, that’s the best two minutes and 38 seconds I’ve ever done,” he told Bunkered, where he also outlined his plan to retire after the 100th edition of the famous tournament in 2036.
Woods will not be competing this year after undergoing surgery.
At 49 years of age, the chances of him adding to his 15 Majors are dwindling. If a miracle does happen, there is only one man who should be on the call.
