Jim Bones Mackay reflects on Phil Mickelson and Masters history
Jim Bones Mackay shares his favorite Masters stories, insights ahead of the 2026 tournament and the Masters app.
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.
McIlroy is the first player to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002.
Jim Nantz Masters call
Nantz has been the voice of the Masters for a record 41 years, surpassing his former CBS college Verne Lundquist, and he’ll stay in the booth for the foreseeable future. He recently told Scottish golf magazine Bunkered that he plans to retire after the 100th Masters in 2036, which would be his 51st year on the call at Augusta National.
He did, however, add a qualifier in that his health would need to hold up and that both CBS and the Masters would have to want him back for the next decade in the first place.
“But if all the stars aligned, right now, it feels like a pretty good exit point,” Nantz told Bunkered. “April 14, 2036. That is my scheduled retirement date. It would be a perfect place to walk out.”
