Jim Nantz has been the voice of the Masters Tournament for decades, becoming closely associated with one of golf’s most recognizable events. As he continues his long career with CBS Sports, questions about his eventual retirement have started to surface.
Ahead of the 2026 Masters, Nantz addressed those questions directly during an appearance on the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce. The 66-year-old broadcaster outlined a clear goal for when he would like to step away from the booth.
Jim Nantz Masters Retirement Plan Explained
During the podcast appearance, Nantz shared that he has a specific milestone in mind before retiring from calling the Masters.
“I would like to do 51 Masters Tournament,” Nantz said.
The longtime CBS broadcaster is set to cover his 41st Masters in 2026, meaning his goal would keep him on the broadcast for roughly another decade.
Nantz explained that the number is not random. It ties back to advice he received from the late CBS commentator Jack Whitaker.
According to Nantz, Whitaker once told him, “You need to do 51 (Masters).”
When Nantz asked why, Whitaker explained the significance. “If you do the math, your 51st Masters, 2036, would be the 100th playing of the Masters,” Whitaker said.
The suggestion left a lasting impression on Nantz, who said the idea of calling such a historic tournament has stayed with him. Whitaker added that Augusta National would want Nantz involved for that milestone event.
Despite ongoing retirement speculation, Nantz made it clear he is not stepping away anytime soon.
“So I didn’t come on your show to announce my retirement on April 14th,” Nantz said.
If he reaches his goal, Nantz would be around 76 years old when he calls his final Masters.
Nantz Shares Advice Ahead of 2026 Masters
In addition to discussing his long-term plans, Nantz offered advice to Jason Kelce during the podcast, who is preparing for a broadcasting role tied to the 2026 Masters.
Nantz focused on how to approach interviews with players during the tournament, especially during the Par 3 contest.
“There’s two things you’re going to focus on here, O.K.?” Nantz said.
“Virtually everybody in that field is going to have a caddie that’s special to them, and more likely it’s going to be a family member, a child, a daughter or even a wife.”
He continued, “So one is, what was that experience like? And two is, how do you feel about your game going into the tournament? That’s all you need to ask.”
Nantz also emphasized the tone of the event and how it differs from other golf coverage.
“Now maybe somebody knocks a hole in a hole in one and you might ask them about that,” he said. “But I think people want to know what the week looks like for them and what that experience was like out on the Par 3 tournament.”
He added, “It’s unique, we don’t see anything like that the rest of the year. You don’t need to dig much deeper than that. This is a feel-good event, and you’re going to be the right guy to do that.”
Jim Nantz Addresses Retirement Talk With Clear Masters Timeline