Faldo Replacing Wadkins in CBS Broadcast Booth
Back in January, when it was announced that ABC was dropping golf, I worried that I wouldn't be able to listen to Nick Faldo on golf broadcasts anymore. Now I'm wondering if we'll all soon be suffering from Faldo burnout.Today it was announced that Faldo will be joining the CBS broadcast team, partnering with Jim Nantz and replacing Lanny Wadkins as lead analyst. Faldo will appear on 21 PGA Tour broadcasts for CBS, in addition to his previously announced duties at The Golf Channel. There he will be lead analyst on all the TGC broadcasts, pairing with - according to reports - Kelly Tilghman.
Thankfully, Faldo might be the one analyst who can remain fresh even when he's on the air four days a week for much of the golf season. We'll soon find out, at any rate. It will be interesting to see how he fits with Nantz, however: Will Faldo's acerbic, incisive approach clash with Nantz's reverential treatment of the game?
As for Lanny Wadkins: He apparently balked at a lesser role with CBS, and now he has no role at all. No loss to golf fans. Wadkins was easily the weakest broadcaster in the booth of any golf telecasts. Enjoy the Champions Tour, Lanny. But maybe you should have checked with your friend Curtis Strange first on how such a move works out.
(Photo courtesy of the PGA Tour)
Comments
Personally, I like Lanny Watkins in the booth and I will miss his commentary. I like Nick faldo as well and I believe he’ll be a good replacement. I think Jim Nantz can work with anyone - he is ultimate professional in the booth and is probably the most objective analyst out there.
Whilst agreeing that Lanny Wadkins is inadequate, I am surprised that Faldo’s English sense of “humour” will be found acceptable in the States. I listened to many of his efforts last spring and cringed at some of his comments.
He recently did battle with Peter Alliss in the booth at the World Matchplay and lost heavily. He is a bit of a been there, done it, got the teeshirt and has an excellent record on the course but has no anecdotes or repartee.
He has done well to get the seat and, like Curtis Strange will probably dally with CBS until he grows up and gets to play with the Seniors.
My tip for the top is Sam Torrence who, despite his Scottish accent, is naturally very entertaining. He should have finished playing the Seniors tours just in time for Alliss’ retirement.
Brian, you’re overlooking one very important factor about Faldo: Americans LOVE British accents. You could put Benny Hill (rest in peace) in a golf broadcast booth and American golfers would sit in rapt attention.
It struck me as ironic that ABC and CBS chose two of the least liked players on tour (Strange and Wadkins) as broadcast booth analysts. Both of these guys were horrible with galleries and fans. So, I suspect that neither of these prima donnas made good broadcast teammates. Additionally, Strange’s accent was very hard to listen to, and about all Wadkins could say during a telecast was “no question, Jim”, “well played”, “well done”, or “well holed”. I’m glad they’re both gone.