One of the voices most synonymous with golf coverage on the PGA Tour for CBS is ready to call it a career.
CBS Sports, arguably the Tour’s top media partner, is going to undergo even more change beginning in 2026, as its on-air team will once again be reshuffled.
That’s because longtime analyst Ian Baker-Finch is calling it a career. The Australian announced his retirement ahead of the 3M Open, saying he’ll finish the 2025 PGA Tour season before hanging ’em up.
Ian Baker-Finch Says He’s Retiring at End of 2025 PGA Tour Season
“After 19 incredible years as a golf analyst with CBS Sports and a remarkable 30-year journey in the industry, I am announcing my retirement from broadcasting,” Baker-Finch said in a statement released by the network. “Golf has been an enormous part of my life. I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television.”
CBS Sports also weighed in on the 64-year-old’s decision, offering a strong support and endorsement of Baker-Finch.
“As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, said in a statement of his own. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf.”
Baker-Finch’s broadcasting career extends beyond CBS. After a rollercoaster run of a playing career, Baker-Finch retired early. He then joined ESPN and ABC. It was the insights that came from his career — he won the 1991 Open and six years later retired after shooting a 92 at the same tournament — that gave him some incredible insight.
IBF eventually moved from ABC/ESPN over to CBS where he helped form a golf broadcasting staple that had serious staying power. Golf fans got quite used to spending their weekend with Jim Nantz, Nick Faldo and Baker-Finch. Mix in Dottie Pepper, and you had a lasting soundtrack to the summer for golf fans.
Baker-Finch’s Playing Career Gave Him Unique Insights
Baker-Finch has a remarkable story. He turned professional in 1979 and didn’t get onto the PGA Tour on a full-time basis until 1989. He ended up with 17 professional wins but secured just two PGA Tour wins. The 1991 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale was obviously his crowning achievement. The victory vaulted him to No. 10 in the world by the end of the ’91 season, the highest world ranking he’d reach in his career.
Ultimately, his game blew up on him. He became especially nervy off the tee. He essentially couldn’t play at a professional level anymore. After toiling with that for a few years, his game hit rock bottom at the 1997 British Open. Baker-Finch shot a 92 in the first round at Royal Troon. He walked off the course after completing the round, withdrew from the tournament and retired.
Certainly, that experience made him a valuable on-air presence. He could related to just about everything any player was going through. It didn’t hurt, either, for that message to be delivered in a pleasing Australian accent. On top of that, he seemed to get along well with most of his on-air coworkers, and that often made for strong broadcasts.
It will be interesting to see where CBS goes from here. The network underwent another big change just a couple of years ago when longtime color commentator Nick Faldo retired. CBS replaced him with Trevor Immelman, who has done well in carrying the baton.
Longtime CBS Golf Analyst Retiring at End of 2025 PGA Tour Season