‘I’ve Moved On’: Jim Nantz on Making Peace With PGA Championship Breaking Decades-Old Tradition

Last year’s PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club was the fifth time (since 2019) that the event was conducted in May, and not August. The reason being, competing with the NFL season became a struggle too real for the PGA Tour. They finally made the call to turn the calendar on a dime. “It’s amazing for the pattern of golf,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh had then said. This meant two things: #1, they would have to look out for proper conditions in Northern climates. And #2, toying with what once used to be advertised as ‘Glory’s Last Shot’ since 1949 would create a stink for the traditionalists… which was bad enough for it to be a drag. 

Why? Well, August and the PGA Championship were a historical pairing. Except for 1971 (unfavorable weather conditions) and 2016 (when golf returned to the Olympics), every PGA Championship from 1949 to 2018 was held in August. Regardless, the move happened, and in retrospect, there are simply too many upsides for us to count. More promotion around the event; a bigger and better runway for CBS leading up to the PGA Championship because of the preceding Masters; opening up the possibility for a network like ESPN, which is otherwise typically heavy on college football in the month of August; no longer would the PGA Championship clash with the Olympics every four years; better sales and whatnot, as reported by Sports Business Journal last year.  

But for a man for whom the 2025 edition will be his 35th successive year hosting the event from the 18th tower, there’s wisdom and logic that one can’t ignore. And if it were up to him, he would have kept some traditions. August. In an open discussion with host Taylor Zarzour on the 5 Clubs Golf channel, Jim Nantz gave his unfiltered opinion on an angle many overlooked. “It sounds like the people that made the move, talking about the PGA of America, and then you take the broadcasting side of it from a sales perspective, there’s a lot more value in having the tournament in May than August.

“Hey, I’ll take it wherever we can get it. I truly did like it in August from one standpoint. I liked having the final statement of the year just selfishly, you could say, because we had Augusta at the front end, and we had the PGA at the back end, so it gave me something all summer long to build up to. But I have adapted now.”
The golf calendar currently has a steady stream of high-stakes events, with The Players in March, the Masters in April, the PGA Championship in May, the U.S. Open in June, and The Open Championship in July. “Every month has some importance,” Nantz noted. “I’ve moved on past that now.”

Clearly, he has adjusted to the new timetable. His viewpoint emphasizes how crucial it is to be adaptable and receptive to change, especially in a sport as legendary as professional golf. As Nantz embraces the tournament’s new era, let’s meet the dynamic broadcast team bringing the 2025 PGA Championship to life.

The commentators for the 2025 PGA Championship!

The 2025 PGA Championship will be covered in-depth by a skilled group of broadcasters at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. With Jim Nantz leading the charge, CBS Sports maintains its longstanding relationship with the PGA Championship by providing weekend coverage. His observations and anecdotes have come to represent the tournament’s broadcast. When CBS started covering the PGA Championship again in 1991, Nantz became associated with the event. His voice, which captures the drama and excitement of innumerable unforgettable moments, has become an essential part of the tournament’s identity.

With a wide panel of pundits, ESPN provides the early-round coverage. Alongside Matt Barrie and Marty Smith, Scott Van Pelt, renowned for his captivating manner, leads the coverage, and analysts such as former caddie Michael Collins and two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North will provide on-course viewpoints and in-depth analysis. Curtis Strange and Laura Rutledge also share their knowledge, guaranteeing that spectators understand the game’s subtleties.

Further, Jim Nantz, Trevor Immelman, Dan Hicks, Frank Nobilo and Amanda Balionis will also work on the event.

These vibrant individuals will improve the viewing experience for golf fans worldwide by contributing experience, expertise, and passion to the broadcast.

Specifically, Jim Nantz’s thoughts serve as a reminder of how the sport is changing as the 2025 PGA Championship goes on. His transition from suspicion to acceptance reflects the golf community’s flexibility in accepting change while respecting tradition. With a field of top players and an incredible array of pundits, this year’s championship will surely be a memorable event in golf’s illustrious past. What do you think?