x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
The incredible story of Jim Nantz’s first round at Augusta National
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Great for yourself...or your Dad

InsideGOLF
News

The incredible story of Jim Nantz’s first round at Augusta National

By: James Colgan
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
April 14, 2021
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
jim nantz smiles with fred couples

A young Jim Nantz at the Masters with Fred Couples.

Getty Images

On Sunday, Jim Nantz quietly celebrated an anniversary in front of nine million people. With Hideki Matsuyama’s putt on the 18th hole at Augusta National, Nantz officially completed the 35th of what he hopes will be 50 Masters at CBS.

After three decades, Nantz has become synonymous with the tournament he calls every April — a fact reflected by the hefty new contract handed down to him by CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus. At this stage, Nantz’s dulcet tones at Augusta are “a tradition unlike any other” in itself. A tradition that, it appears, began in the least believable way imaginable.

The story begins in 1986, where a 26-year-old Nantz was summoned to shoot promos ahead of his first-ever Masters by legendary CBS Golf producer Frank Chirkinian.

Features
masters patrons walk
The Masters is as much about the patrons who aren’t in attendance as those who are
By: James Colgan

“My first time stepping foot on the grounds of Augusta was in early March of 1986,” Nantz said. “He felt like maybe it would be a good idea to introduce me to the golf audience a little bit, even though they’re watching the NCAA Tournament, familiarize that this kid’s gonna be part of the Masters broadcast, since I’d only, at that point, been to two tournaments.”

Producer and broadcaster made it on-site together ahead of the promotional shoot, which gave Nantz time to wander the grounds for the first time. But the other members of the shoot ran into a bit of an issue.

“When I got to Augusta, of course, I was just in awe that I was actually there,” Nantz laughed. “The camera crew that was coming to shoot the promos missed their connection in Atlanta. So suddenly, there was some chaos, and Frank said, ‘Well, kid, I guess you’re just gonna have to go play until they get here.'”

frank chirkinian jim nantz and lance barrow
Three central figures to CBS at the Masters: Frank Chirkinian, Lance Barrow and Jim Nantz. CBS

Dumbfounded, Nantz looked down.

“I’m in a shirt and tie, and I’ve got no clubs or anything,” Nantz said. “[Chirkinian] goes, ‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of that kinda detail. Just sit back and shut up, and get ready, you’re gonna be playin’ here in a few minutes.’ Right, next thing you know, he found a member that had an opening in their group, got me some clubs and bought me some golf shoes.”

Mere minutes after walking on the grounds for the first time, Nantz stood on the first tee at Augusta National living every golfer’s wildest dream. There was just one problem: the production crew was on its way.

“All the while, I’m kinda looking over my shoulder, waiting for this crew to show up,” Nantz said. “I just hit my tee shot at 13 when I saw Frank comin’ over the hill in a cart. And he said, ‘Get in the cart, they’re here.’ And at the time, I was, like, three over through 12, and I was in a good position off the tee at 13. Seeing it for the first time, I wanted to keep playing.”

Ultimately, Chirkinian won out. Nantz was yanked off the course before he could finish Amen Corner — but not before he’d put his own mark on Masters history.

“So that was it,” Nantz said. “That was actually the first time — that day, I ever uttered the phrase, ‘A tradition unlike any other.'”

Latest In News

35 minutes ago

Tony Finau ruins U.S. Open fan's 'nap' with wild grandstand shot

3 hours ago

5 things to know for Friday's second round at the 2025 U.S. Open

4 hours ago

2025 U.S. Open Friday TV coverage: How to watch Round 2

13 hours ago

PGA Tour to name NFL's Brian Rolapp new CEO

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
Rory McIlroy

What happened to Rory McIlroy on Friday?! And airport tears | Weekend 9

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Augusta National

2026 Masters tickets lottery opens (with slight price increase)

By: Josh Berhow
News
rory mcilroy and jim nantz pose next to AT&T Pebble Beach trophy.

Al Michaels' 1-word text to Jim Nantz perfectly captured Rory McIlroy's Masters

By: James Colgan
Food
rory mcilroy after masters win, and 1990 chateau lafite rothshild wine

The fabled wine Rory McIlroy uncorked to celebrate his Masters win

By: Alan Bastable
Gear
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott hold their green Trackmans.

Rory McIlroy just got golf's most exclusive launch monitor. Here's the backstory

By: Jack Hirsh
News
rory mcilroy marking his ball on the green

Rory McIlroy’s handmade ball markers have fascinating backstory

By: Alan Bastable
News
Rory McIlroy walks up to the Masters trophy after winning the 2025 Masters

Why 1 unseen part of Rory McIlroy's Masters celebration spoke to me

By: Josh Schrock
News
Kyle Lowry, NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers, plays during the Pro-AM, prior to the Truist Championship

What's next for Rory McIlroy? This golf-crazed NBA champion has thoughts

By: Josh Schrock
News
Rory McIlroy

Why Rory McIlroy felt 'the worst' at this year’s Masters ... after a birdie

By: Nick Piastowski
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version