Verne Lundquist spotted watching Tiger Woods at Masters for final time as commentator calls time on Augusta career
GOLF commentator Verne Lundquist gave fans an almost perfect farewell after being spotted by CBS cameras.
The broadcaster is calling his final ever Masters this weekend after 40 years on the microphone.
Verne Lundquist was watching Tiger Woods on the 16th hole on SundayCBS
ReutersTiger Woods removes his cap after completing his final round at the 2024 Masters[/caption]
Lundquist, 83, is one of the voices of the tournament ever since the 1980s.
His most famous call came in 2005 when Tiger Woods chipped in on the 16th hole in dramatic style.
And the pair combined on Sunday for a near perfect moment.
Woods, 48, was out of contention and playing early Sunday to complete his tournament.
He was on the 16th hole when Lundquist was spotted in the background.
The commentator sat by a tree and watched Woods for one last time up close in person at the Augusta National Golf Club.
CBS cameras captured the wonderful moment, which was on the featured group streaming coverage shared with ESPN+.
And the commentator on the call said, “A man with magic in his hands, looked on by a man with magic in his voice.
“Those two, over the last 25 years, the definition of the Masters.”
Woods went over to shake Lundquist’s hand after the hole as he finished up on 16.
Lundquist’s final broadcast was on CBS’s coverage from 2pm ET Sunday afternoon.
“Fortieth means I’m old,” he admitted.
“This place has been so special in my personal and professional life, and I will come back.”
The 83-year-old also revealed that his “exit plan” was two years in the making.
He talked with CBS bosses in 2022 about this tournament being his 40th and potentially last.
This place has been so special in my personal and professional life
Verne Lundquist on Augusta
Lundquist claimed he wants to return as a fan – but whether he gets a chance to see Woods in person again remains to be seen.
He said, “This place and the people who run it, and the patrons who visit it − it is the best-run golf tournament in the world, on the best manicured golf course in the world, with the best patrons in the world.”
Woods finished 16 over par after a rough weekend at Augusta.
He made the cut with scores of 73 and 72 on Thursday and Friday respectively.
But the five-time Masters champion shot an 82 on Saturday and finished with 77 Sunday.
