Nantz, Faldo are leaders in CBS' code of silence

Jim Nantz and three-time Masters Tournament champion Nick Faldo once again will lead the on-air broadcast team for CBS this year during the event's final two rounds. Nantz, who will call the action of both the NCAA men's basketball championship and the Masters this week, said he respects Augusta National Golf Club enough to know when his voice isn't needed.

"I think that Augusta is a quieter tournament," he said. "I think there's less of a need for commentary here more than any other event. People are absolutely enchanted with every single thing they look at."

Nantz and CBS Golf coordinating producer Lance Barrow said viewers know Augusta better than other courses because it is the only major to stay at the same venue each year. The result is the need for fewer words and more silence.

"We're going to be there to provide the captions," Nantz said. "Sure, the viewer at home knows the pressure points that are coming up. They know the key shots along the famed second nine there, and I don't think we really have to remind them all that often. I think that we're more spare at Augusta more than any place else, and I happen to like that."

Barrow said the idea is to share the experience. High-definition and 3-D television have brought the latest changes in CBS' 56 consecutive years of covering the Masters. A more concentrated effort on the 3-D broadcast this year, along with more camera angles at the 15th green, will help show off the course's beauty.

"There's no event at CBS that we treat with more care and more attention," said Sean McManus, the chairman of CBS Sports. "I think we're looking forward to hopefully another great Masters and another continuation of what's been a really good run on CBS Sports."

Barrow said he wants to bring the hope of spring to viewers in parts of the country that experienced a long, cold winter.

"It's kind of the start of a new season for everyone," he said. "They look forward to Amen Corner and, to me, they know that spring's right around the corner. It's a happening. It's a beginning, and they know their golf game will be coming around."

Television coverage at Augusta National will begin Wednesday with the Par-3 Contest on ESPN from 3 to 5 p.m.

ESPN will offer live coverage of the first two Masters rounds from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. CBS will take over with Saturday's coverage from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will air the final round Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m.

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.