Four decades is a long time, but for Jim Nantz, it’s a remarkable milestone marking 40 years of calling golf at Augusta National. Since his debut in 1986, Nantz has become an iconic figure at the Masters, his voice synonymous with the tournament’s rich history. Alongside traditions like azaleas and pimento cheese sandwiches, his ‘Hello, Friends’ has also become a comforting constant in the tournament. As he reflected on this achievement, Nantz admitted, “It’s hard to believe it’s that number. That number is really staggering if I pause for a second, which I try not to allow myself to do.”

Having covered 40 Masters tournaments, one would think Nantz must know his favorite one of all time, right? No, wrong. According to Nantz, ranking the best ones is impossible, but he does mention a few that stand out: Rory McIlroy’s 2025 win, Jack Nicklaus’s 1986 victory, and Tiger Woods’s 2019 comeback. These, he says, belong in a “special stratosphere,” leaving a lasting impression that lingers long after the tournament ends, with Nantz noting, “You kind of walk away for a long time with the feeling of I can’t believe what I just saw.”

Well, all three wins that hold a special place in Nantz’s heart share something in common: they’re unforgettable moments in Masters history. Rory McIlroy’s thrilling victory marked his career Grand Slam, achieved after years of doubt, as he nearly squandered a five-shot lead with eight holes to play before beating Justin Rose with a birdie on the first playoff hole. What made the moment even more special for Nantz was having his son by his side in the Butler Cabin, a sentiment shared by CBS analyst Trevor Immelman, as each of their sons accompanied them, making it a memorable experience for both their families.

Jack Nicklaus’s 1986 win was especially memorable for Nantz, as it was his first year covering the Masters, and Nicklaus’s dramatic comeback—overcoming a six-stroke deficit and shooting 30 on the last nine holes—made for an unforgettable call, with Nicklaus summoning “nine holes of the most electrifying golf the game has ever seen.”

And Tiger Woods’s 2019 triumph was a fairytale comeback, with Woods claiming his fifth Masters title and 15th major championship after a major drought and multiple surgeries. As Nantz poignantly noted, “That hug with his children. If that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, and you’re a parent… you’re not human.” 

But even as he knows his top 3 Masters memories, Nantz is very sure of adding more to them.

Jim Nantz has his eyes set on covering the 100th Masters

“I’m through 37 right now, so 14 to go, hopefully,” Jim Nantz had said back in 2023, and well, he has now completed 40 Masters. Nantz had long envisioned calling 51 Masters, with the 51st coinciding with the tournament’s 100th anniversary in 2036. Notably, despite the Masters starting in 1934, the 100th iteration in 2036 accounts for the three-year hiatus during World War II when the tournament wasn’t held. “The Masters, I would like to do it 51 times, as bizarre as that sounds,” he had mentioned. His goal was to see the end of the first century of the Masters, making it a fitting conclusion to his golf announcing career.

Nantz’s passion for the Masters ran deep, and he felt a personal connection to the event, so much so that he has even said he is ready to quit his Super Bowl duties for it. “The Masters, to me, is the thing that is the deepest in my heart,” he said. He recalled being 11 years old when he told his parents, “That’s what I’d like to do someday. I’d like to be one of those voices… I want to do that.” Having started covering the tournament in 1986 and becoming the host in 1989, Nantz felt fortunate to still be living his childhood dream. “And I’ve been so fortunate that I’m still living that childhood dream even into my 60s, so it’s been pretty amazing.”

So, what are your thoughts on Nantz’s top three Masters memories? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!