Wednesday, September 9, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Legendary CBS Broadcaster Verne Lundquist to Retire After 40th Masters in April

  • Lundquist retired from calling college sports for the network in 2018.
  • The 83-year-old had teased a retirement from golf the past few years.
CBS Broadcaster Verne Lundquist
Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the end of an era for CBS and its sports fans. 

Verne Lundquist, the legendary commentator who became synonymous with the network, announced he will call his 40th and final Masters tournament this April. Lundquist, 83, had retired from calling college sports for the network in 2018. 

Lundquist has an encyclopedia’s worth of memorable calls. Still, his trademark phrases were tied to the word yes, whether it was “Yes, sir!” after Jack Nicklaus’s particular 17th hole putt at the 50th Masters in 1986 or using the singular word after Christian Laettner’s legendary shot over Kentucky six years later. Lundquist also had several calls throughout Tiger Woods’s career, from his 16th-hole Masters shot in 2005 to a Woods birdie shot at the same hole 14 years later. 

The Minnesota native had been teasing the past few years that his 40th Masters would likely be his last. Woods has yet to commit to play in the Masters after recently returning from ankle surgery. Maybe he does and gives Lundquist one last memorable call for his career. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

California Attorney General Rob Bonta holds a press conference as he announces California will be suing to block the Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in Los Angeles, California, U.S. July 13, 2026.

Paramount Antitrust Talks Face New Stumbling Block

A settlement negotiation set for Monday was canceled.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; CBS analyst J.J. Watt on the field before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt’s CBS Rise Could Reshape the NFL Analyst Pecking Order

Watt will serve as CBS’s top game analyst in Tony Romo’s absence.
Nov 16, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of CBS Sports NFL today broadcast before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

CBS Sports Has a Lot to Live Up to After Banner Year

The Paramount-owned network will rely more on NFC teams this year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/9/26 – SEC Seeks Right to Expel LSU, MAC Appeals WMU Loss, LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy

0:00

Featured Today

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
August 30, 2026

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.

Bezos’s Liverpool–Amazon Entanglement Is New for English Soccer

Bezos’s Prime Video has Tuesday night Champions League rights in the UK.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury (65) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
September 9, 2026

NFL Wednesday Games: A New Normal?

NBC Sports is already looking ahead to potentially more Wednesday games.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA;General view down the line of scrimmage as New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury (65) prepares to snap the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
First at FOS
September 9, 2026

NBC Sports Ditches Blended Ratings for Nielsen’s NFL Standard

The network will report its NFL audiences like other league rights holders.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Sep 5, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to a touchdown by quarterback Sam Leavitt (not pictured) against Clemson Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Opinion
September 8, 2026

Lane Kiffin’s Villain Act Has Made Him College Football’s Biggest Story

Kiffin’s first season at LSU has already been eventful in multiple ways.
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The NFL shield logo on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
September 8, 2026

NFL Films Reimagining ‘Inside the NFL’ on X Without Panelists

This will be the second season the show has aired on X.
Jan 7, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; PAC 12 sports broadcaster Jacob Tobey prior to the game between the Oregon State Beavers against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
September 4, 2026

Jacob Tobey to Return As Spurs Announcer After Affair Allegation

Tobey was originally let go from the role in July.
Exclusive
September 4, 2026

NFL Players Quietly Dropped Push for Media Locker Room Ban

Talks have been dormant after a 2024 effort.