
James Colgan
April 23, 2025
Rory McIlroy immediately entered the club legend after the 18th Green of Augusta National.
Getty Images
The silent voice
Golf TV is a ruthless sport. On a typical Sunday, eight sounds are used to talk about at least 50 balls, distributed in 18 fields, while twenty-person staff work many jobs focusing on past (replay), present (director) and future (production, graphics, advertising, pre-production segments).
When it works, it sounds like a symphony orchestra – a series of talented people who are a necessary part of the whole. And, when it’s really good, it sometimes sounds like it did for six minutes in a row at the Masters Sunday: nothing.
Waiting is the hardest part
CBS said nothing in six minutes, and Rory McIlroy cried to the Augusta National scorer room in the Masters Sunday. Instead, the CBS team was probably the best moment under the shy leadership of the lead producer seller, the network sat down to watch and held a steady camera on McIlroy as he faced the first moment of the Grand Slam winner.
This can be painful and feel somewhat counterproductive for those who are paid to talk after a historic moment. But often telling this story silently is far better than analytics. That’s it here.
communication
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“If tears can tell a story”
Shy people have often thought about these words since McIlroy burst into tears. McIlroy offers the game on Histrionics on the 18th Green and fits the moment with an iconic image.
“The truth is, I don’t have to say a word to anyone. Everyone knows exactly what to do at that moment,” said shy. “The truth is, we have nothing to say, that matches the tears that were shed on his face.”
Tears do tell the story of CBS, and shy planning rarely has credibility.
“[Director] Steve Milton’s glory is about to stick with the 95% walk to Atlas Cam, and the other synergy of our team is incredible. “When Rory became a score, I think we lined up 10-12 like a plane at the airport.”
The only master story Jim Nantz won’t tell
go through:
James Colgan
The best sports TV thinking is experts in the rich and scarce fields – know when to slam the gas pedal downwards on replays, analytics and graphics, and when to sit in a strange moment for eternity. The CBS crew has achieved high results in mastering both here.
Shy was excited about the team’s handling of the situation, but the unsung hero of everything was Nantz, who delivered the closing ceremony – “The long journey is over – McIlroy has his masterpiece!” – and then disappeared into the night.
Nantz’s grasp of the simplicity needed for that moment was quick, followed by the rest of the CBS sports opponents, and brought more emotion.
“In that moment, that’s when you want Jim Nanz,” said shyly. “He knew what to do at that moment, and we all spoke for himself with his lead. Visual effects.”
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James Colgan
golf.comEdit
James Colgan is Golf news and writes stories for websites and magazines. He manages the media verticals of popular microphones, golf, and leverages his camera experience on the brand platform. Before joining golf, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and Astute looper) from Long Island, where he came from. He can be contacted at james.colgan@golf.com.
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