Nicklaus’ win was Nantz’s first year with CBS as
he was calling the action on the 16th hole. He
moved to the host role three years later and
has had a front-row seat to nine of Woods’
wins in a major.
CBS was a huge beneficiary of Woods’ win. They
were on the air for 10 hours on Sunday because
the final round was moved up due to possible
inclement weather. CBS started at 9 a.m. EDT
and had six hours of live coverage followed by a
four-hour recap show.
Director Lance Barrow said he found out about
the early broadcast before going on the air
Saturday. CBS sports chairman Sean McManus
said that despite the time change, it still had the
feel and drama of a final round at Augusta.
“During huge events like this, everyone steps
up. I am very proud of what we did and it was a
great broadcast,” McManus said.
When it comes to signature victories, Nantz
noted there were plenty of differences between
Woods’ victory Sunday, his first win in 1997 and
Nicklaus’ rally.
“When Jack won, there were still a lot of players
on the course. He was ahead of the lead groups,
so he didn’t walk off the 18th knowing he
had won it,” he said. “So, you didn’t have that
celebration of the player and the game of golf in
1986 like you had here.”
In 1997, Woods had a nine-shot lead going into
the final round with the only drama being if he
was going to break the tournament’s 72-hold
scoring record. Nantz said broadcast that day
was more about storytelling and celebrating the
social significance of Woods’ first major.