Jim Nantz has been a part of The Masters broadcasts on CBS for the past forty years, but Sunday was the first day in which he was on air for Rory McIlroy winning the green jacket in Augusta. After sinking a birdie putt on the first playoff hole, Nantz called the moment, saying McIlroy has his masterpiece, then allowed the sounds and sights to tell the story of the victory.
Meanwhile, Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata discussed the finish of the tournament on WFAN this morning and how Rory McIlroy didn’t exactly meet the description that Nantz provided with his final call.
“I wouldn’t even be saying this if he played clean on 18. If he hit that putt and won The Masters, that would be it,” said Licata. “Even with the early round struggles behind him, even with the score being similar, but if he made that and didn’t have to go to the playoff, it would have felt like a win that could be celebrated more, especially using the terminology Rory has his masterpiece.”
In fact, McIlroy forced himself into a playoff with Justin Rose, who was six strokes behind McIlroy through the 10th hole on Sunday, only to win on the first playoff hole.
“The fact that hole 18 you had a chance to hit that putt and win The Masters, and he blew it,” explained Licata. “That’s the putt you have to make if you want to be Masters champion.”
Additionally, Tierney noted that even some of the greatest players in the game of golf struggled while still winning The Masters, but his issue was more with the storytelling of the broadcast during the tournament.
“I think Jim Nantz is great,” said Tierney. “But he was laying it on a little thick yesterday, I’ll even admit that.”
Furthermore, Licata noted he was a fan of the visual presentation of how the tournament was portrayed on CBS Sports, but what he characterized as the over-emphasis of Nantz was a bit too far.
“I’m just not one for the corny, overly dramatic like oohs and aahs,” mimicked Licata. “Whatever. That’s the thing for the golf. I’m clearly not the audience he is targeting. I am the opposite of whatever elitist golf people watching and getting wet about the idea of ‘oh here we go, look at this drama.’”
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