Golf Fans Loved What Jim Nantz and CBS Did After Rory McIlroy’s Winning Masters Putt

Rory McIlroy won his first Masters in dramatic fashion on Sunday and became just the sixth player in history to complete the Grand Slam.
But he sure didn't make it easy on himself.
McIlroy had a comfortable lead heading into the back nine but that all went away thanks to a mind-boggling double bogey on the par-5 13th hole and a few other mistakes down the stretch, including a missed par putt on the 18th hole.
He was then able to win it on the first playoff hole when he knocked in a two-foot birdie putt. Golf fans loved how Jim Nantz and the CBS broadcast handled the moment after the winning putt, as they sat back and mostly let McIlroy's emotional celebration be the story.
Sports television at its finest. Barely a word said by CBS over nearly 7 minutes. pic.twitter.com/o2F4DoaqQ9
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) April 14, 2025
This has quickly become one of my favorite moments in all of sports. A moment so big that words would do nothing but bog it down. https://t.co/tOGx8UEuUJ
— Tyson Bernath (@tysonbernath) April 14, 2025
The way @GolfonCBS covered this weekend at Augusta needs to be studied by every sports network. This was a masterpiece of sports coverage. https://t.co/dpmYOLOg1z
— Michael (@manecci) April 14, 2025
Sometimes, the most powerful thing a broadcaster can say is nothing. They nailed it. https://t.co/HIaLpclJHR
— Justin Edwards (@JEdwardsFOX) April 14, 2025
Granted this is an extremely rare historic moment, but all other networks should take note. https://t.co/L5uOtcW1R6
— . (@olsicwb) April 14, 2025
What a 7 minute clip. One of the greatest ❤️ https://t.co/nX3k4Uv95t
— Andrew Nickless (@wbabarno1980) April 14, 2025
There are many commentators from a few sports who could learn from this masterpiece of broadcasting. Let the pictures tell the story. https://t.co/QSLUoxCZeP
— Pete Oliver (@TheVoon) April 14, 2025
More Masters on Sports Illustrated

Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.
Follow anezbitt