Jim Nantz recalls his iconic 1986 Masters moment at the 16th hole

The CBS broadcaster reflects on his big break calling Jack Nicklaus' famous birdie putt 37 years ago

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:04am

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In 1986, a 26-year-old Jim Nantz was given the prestigious assignment of calling the action from the 16th hole tower at the Masters Tournament. It was a career-defining moment for the young broadcaster, as he was able to narrate Jack Nicklaus' iconic birdie putt that helped propel the golfing legend to victory. Nantz recalls the nerves and excitement of that day, and how his famous line "The Bear had come out of hibernation" became an indelible part of Masters history.

Why it matters

Nantz's 1986 Masters moment marked a turning point in his career, establishing him as one of golf's premier play-by-play voices. The assignment at the 16th hole, a crucial and dramatic part of the course, allowed Nantz to showcase his talent on the biggest stage in the sport. This early career highlight helped pave the way for Nantz to become the lead CBS golf announcer, a role he has held for over three decades.

The details

A month before the 1986 Masters, CBS producer Frank Chirkinian told the 26-year-old Nantz that he would be calling the action from the 16th hole tower during the tournament. At the time, Nantz's previous TV experience was limited to being a studio host for college sports and an on-course reporter for PGA Tour events. Chirkinian wanted to introduce Nantz to the public ahead of the Masters, so he had Nantz film promotional spots on the 16th green, where Chirkinian then revealed Nantz's assignment for the tournament. Nantz said he tried to play it cool, but internally he was battling nerves and imposter syndrome about being trusted with such a high-profile role. When Jack Nicklaus made his famous birdie putt on Sunday, Nantz's iconic line "The Bear had come out of hibernation" became etched in Masters lore.

  • In March 1986, CBS producer Frank Chirkinian told the 26-year-old Jim Nantz he would be calling the action from the 16th hole tower during the upcoming Masters Tournament.
  • On Sunday, April 13, 1986, Jack Nicklaus made a birdie putt on the 16th hole that Nantz famously described with the line "The Bear had come out of hibernation."

The players

Jim Nantz

A 26-year-old broadcaster who was given the prestigious assignment of calling the action from the 16th hole tower at the 1986 Masters Tournament, a career-defining moment that helped establish him as one of golf's premier play-by-play voices.

Frank Chirkinian

The legendary CBS golf producer who voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his decades of perfecting golf TV coverage, and who gave the young Nantz the 16th hole assignment at the 1986 Masters.

Jack Nicklaus

The golfing legend whose famous birdie putt on the 16th hole at the 1986 Masters was immortalized by Nantz's iconic call, "The Bear had come out of hibernation."

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What they’re saying

“What in the world was CBS thinking putting me in the 16th tower? I was just a kid. That was one of the greatest days of my life to be able to live a childhood dream to one day grow up and be able to be a part of Frank Chirkinian's broadcast team and specifically, to be there for the Masters Tournament.”

— Jim Nantz, CBS Broadcaster

“Sounds good ... I'm looking forward to it. But I internalized it. I had a little bit of imposter syndrome. I had a month to obsess and battle some nerves and anxiety about the fact that I would be so late in the game on the 70th hole, come Sunday. It was a weighty assignment for a young kid.”

— Jim Nantz, CBS Broadcaster

“It somehow dropped out of the sky and into my head.”

— Jim Nantz, CBS Broadcaster

What’s next

Nantz will be working his 41st Masters tournament on April 9-12, 2026, continuing his long-running tenure as the lead CBS golf announcer.

The takeaway

Jim Nantz's iconic call of Jack Nicklaus' birdie putt at the 1986 Masters marked a pivotal moment in his career, establishing him as one of golf's premier broadcasters. The assignment at the 16th hole, a crucial part of the course, allowed the young Nantz to showcase his talent on the biggest stage, paving the way for his decades-long reign as the face of CBS golf coverage.