Jim Nantz calls Rory McIlroy's historic 2026 Masters win
Jim Nantz has anchored CBS's Masters coverage since 1989, but it's been almost 25 years since he was able to call a repeat champion. Until today.
Follow along with live updates of all the final-round action at the Masters Tournament . In a tournament that bills itself as "a tradition unlike any other," the Masters and legendary commentator Jim Nantz are synonymous with each other. On Sunday, he capped off his record-breaking 41st year in the booth at Augusta National by calling another historic milestone, one that he hasn't in 24 years: "Rory is a rare repeat winner at Augusta," Nantz said as Rory McIlroy looked up to the sky in relief and stretched his arms out after the 18th hole to join one of the most exclusive clubs in the sport.
McIlroy's second consecutive green jacket might have been harder fought than his first. With a six-stroke lead through the first 36 holes, it looked like his coronation was already well underway. But a rough third round on Saturday saw that lead disappear as Cameron Young caught up to him.
McIlroy's struggles continued into the final round as a three-putt double bogey on the fourth hole put him two shots back of Young. Justin Rose had five birdies in the first nine to take a two-shot lead of his own, but McIlroy came roaring back with birdies on holes No. 7 and No.
8 to tie it back up, and retook the lead after a pair of bogeys from Rose on the 11th and 12th holes. McIlroy also held off a late rally from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to finish alone atop the leaderboard.