They say you can’t please everyone. It’s especially true in broadcasting, where you can have all the technical ability in the world but can get axed if people don’t like the sound of your voice.
Jim Nantz, the main voice of the Masters on CBS Sports since 1989, has been a staple of the sport of golf commonly heard in the homes of American fans for decades.
So of course he was there in Butler Cabin at the Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday – sound tracking Rory McIlroy‘s playoff victory to claim his first green jacket.
The familiarity of the 65-year-old led to a split opinion on social media over the quality of the job he did.
Nantz’s final call was generally praised as he proclaimed, ‘McIlroy has his masterpiece’ while the Irishman collapsed onto the 18th green in tears.
Then, after briefly announcing the result, Nantz and co-commentator Trevor Immelman stayed silent for nearly seven minutes to let the emotions of the moment speak for themselves.
Jim Nantz earned a mixed reaction to his final round coverage at the Masters this year
Nantz was calling Rory McIlroy’s heartrending finish to finally win his first Green Jacket
Nantz has been a fixture of golf coverage in the US for decades, calling The Masters since 1989
But throughout the day, a number of golf fans appeared to take issue with Nantz setting the stage by focusing on McIlroy. Some believed it was a bit too much.
One post of the final call from Nantz had some detractors underneath it, with one saying, ‘Nantz was really really getting on my nerves he’s become pompous and difficult to listen to.’
Another critic said, ‘Jim Nantz wears on me to be honest. I realize Rory is a great story (again no pun intended), but good Lord Nantz just kept going on and on and on and on about the sacrifices by Rory’s parents, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.’
A different response chastised Nantz for ‘openly cheering for Rory for the entire round.’
The golf content creator going by the name ‘Joey Coldcuts’ posted, ‘I hate to be the one to say it because he’s one of the best of all time but Jim Nantz is really starting to lose a step. Hate to see it.’
But many others had plenty of praise for Nantz’s job – especially when he and Immelman let McIlroy’s walk up to the clubhouse speak for itself.
‘Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman put on a broadcasting masterclass yesterday,’ said sports business podcast host Joe Pompliano. ‘They said just 46 words in seven minutes of air-time after Rory made the winning putt. You could feel the emotion through the TV. Just incredible stuff.’
Former ESPN reporter Ed Werder said, ‘I commend those at @CBSSports who decided to just follow Rory after he won with no announcer commentary, documenting his interactions naturally and, when it was time to speak, Jim Nantz did so just as beautifully as we all expected.’
Opinions on social media were split over how Nantz called the final round at Augusta
‘Jim Nantz is the Vin Scully of golf,’ said one fan. ‘They let the greatest moments speak for themselves.’
Another fan posted, ‘Jim Nantz is such a pro. Knows the perfect time to say something, and more importantly, the perfect time to be quiet and let us take it all in together.’
Just a few weeks ago, Nantz revealed the timeline he has set for himself – and when he’ll call his final Masters.
All going well, the 65-year-old wants the 2036 tournament in Augusta to be his last.
‘If all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point: April 14, 2036,’ he said.
‘That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.’
Nantz will be 76 by the time the 2036 Masters comes around, and it will also mark the 100th anniversary of the illustrious competition.
