Longtime CBS and Golf Channel analyst (and six-time major winner) Nick Faldo announced his impending retirement today, with CBS naming Trevor Immelman as his top replacement.
Considering the current state of the golf world, where people usually associated with the PGA Tour (and their broadcast teams) jumping ship to Saudi-backed sportswashing effort LIV Golf, this sparked plenty of speculation that Faldo was the latest prize for the upstart tour as they battle for legitimacy.
During a Faldo appearance after the announcement, Dan Patrick asked him directly about whether LIV had anything to do with the decision. Faldo denied it immediately.
Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) shares why he'll be retiring from broadcasting come August.
For Sir Nick's full appearance: https://t.co/FsP3ha5Ddf pic.twitter.com/7EskGToGFi
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 21, 2022
Throughout, Faldo seems genuinely adamant that LIV has nothing to do with this decision, and it makes sense! He’s been able to essentially work all the biggest events in men’s golf for decades. Perhaps more relevant, he and LIV CEO Greg Norman aren’t exactly tight.
Faldo says he hasn’t been approached by LIV Golf and says he’s only interested in “championship golf.” Given the relationship between he and Norman such speculation that Sir Nick would jump to LIV seems farfetched. https://t.co/XqPUutKEXj
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) June 21, 2022
That said, as with today’s defection of Brooks Koepka (who had also come out forcefully against the LIV venture), things can always change. Especially with big money involved. As of now, though, it feels like a safer bet to assume that Faldo is indeed set to retire (from, at least, full-time work) later this summer. He’s spent pretty much his entire life in the game of golf, and he’s certainly been rewarded for it.
CBS, meanwhile, continues to refresh their broadcasts, which have only improved since Sellers Shy took over from Lance Barrow.
