GOLF.AI • Jan 31, 2026

Inside the CBS Booth Shake-up

While the world's best battled it out on the course, a significant transition was unfolding in the broadcast tower. CBS Sports is ushering in a new era of golf analysis with the debut of former players Colt Knost and Johnson Wagner, offering a fresh, inside-the-ropes perspective on how the game is presented to millions.

The new team chemistry was immediately on display. In a lighthearted video, veteran announcer Jim Nantz and lead analyst Trevor Immelman were captured playfully 'hazing' Knost in the 'Super Tower,' assigning him the nickname 'Mongoose' and teasing him about his new setup. The welcome set a fun, collaborative tone for the broadcast's new chapter.

The shake-up is part of a deliberate vision from Nantz, who described the CBS broadcast as a 'tapestry' of different voices. He specifically lauded Wagner's 'unique ability to express himself' as a key reason for his addition, emphasizing the network's commitment to diverse and insightful commentary.

The value of this on-course expertise was clear from the start. In a standout segment, Johnson Wagner attempted to recreate a difficult shot by Brooks Koepka off a cart path, providing tangible and entertaining insight. Wagner explained that the mental challenge is 'to not flinch at the bottom' before hooking his own attempt into a bunker, perfectly illustrating the shot's immense difficulty in a way only a former pro could.

For dedicated fans, this is more than just a change in personnel. The broadcast is the primary lens through which most experience the PGA TOUR, and this evolution in on-air talent directly impacts the entertainment value and deeper understanding of the game, offering an 'inside baseball' angle that resonates with the core audience.