Trevor Immelman embracing second act in golf as CBS’s new lead analyst: ‘I used to be blown away’
For a very long time — most of his enjoying profession, really — Trevor Immelman by no means actually needed to get into the published sales space.
“I by no means considered it in any respect whereas I used to be enjoying,” Immelman informed Yahoo Sports activities. “I used to be extraordinarily single-minded, specializing in myself and my very own recreation and the way I might attempt to get higher and obtain the objectives I set out for myself.”
However on Friday, Immelman will take over as one among golf’s largest analysts. The previous Masters champion is about to make his debut as CBS’s lead golf analyst on the Farmers Insurance coverage Open, which began on Wednesday, at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
“I’m mega excited,” Immelman stated. “I’m like, extraordinarily excited. I’m humbled by the truth that I get this chance. I’ve solely been doing TV for 5 or 6 years, and to rapidly discover myself on this place with this chance is extraordinarily humbling. However I can’t wait.”
Changing Nick Faldo
Immelman hasn’t been in tv for very lengthy. He was nonetheless competing as just lately as 2019.
The 43-year-old South African gained twice on the PGA Tour in his profession, most notably on the Masters in 2008. Immelman beat Tiger Woods by three strokes that yr at Augusta Nationwide in what was by far the most important win of his profession.
Immelman has additionally gained six occasions internationally, performed on two Presidents Cup groups and was the captain for the Worldwide Crew on the 2022 Presidents Cup in North Carolina.
Whereas he hasn’t performed significantly on a Tour for a number of years, Immelman was nonetheless competing in 2019. His final day trip was on the Portugal Masters that yr on the DP World Tour, which got here after simply 4 appearances on the Tour that season.
However as his enjoying profession was wrapping up, Immelman began working with the Golf Channel in 2017, after which joined CBS as an analyst two years later.
Transferring into broadcasting, Immelman stated, was one thing he by no means even considered doing whereas he was nonetheless competing. Then, the following factor he knew, Immelman was proper within the combine.
“I actually, actually acquired into it fairly rapidly,” Immelman stated. “It solely began to germinate as soon as I acquired into the TV, and it’s been an superior journey for the final 5 or 6 years.”
He rapidly rose up the ranks at CBS, and he acquired the decision final fall — simply minutes earlier than he was going to go on the air on the Golf Channel — that the community needed him to switch Nick Faldo, who was retiring after a 16-year run in that spot.
Trevor Immelman joins unique membership in lead golf analyst position
The job itself is one which hasn’t been held by many. In its 66 years overlaying the PGA Tour, Immelman shall be simply the fifth individual to carry its lead analyst position — one thing he stated he solely realized final week.
“I used to be blown away … that was one of many moments when this all grew to become extra actual as we’re counting down the times to Torrey Pines,” Immelman stated.
Immelman shall be thrown into the combo instantly this week at Torrey Pines, which is the primary of 23 occasions CBS will broadcast this season. The community will broadcast each The Masters and the PGA Championship, 11 of the 17 new “elevated” occasions and all three FedExCup Playoffs occasions this fall.
Although he’ll be alongside longtime broadcaster Jim Nantz all through the season, Immelman’s first day trip on this spot shall be a bit distinctive. Nantz shall be calling the match remotely from Kansas Metropolis, the place he’ll be calling the AFC championship recreation between the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
“It’s gonna be completely different, completely … We’ve acquired Jim Nantz, perhaps probably the most legendary sports activities broadcaster in American historical past shepherding us by way of this,” Immelman stated. “I belief him and his expertise for positive.”
Immelman is aware of he has huge sneakers to fill. However, not less than in the beginning, he’s attempting to not concentrate on something however being himself.
“I can’t attempt to act like, or say issues like others have accomplished on this place,” Immelman stated. “I’ve to be myself. I’ve to be genuine. I’ve to be trustworthy. I’ve to permit my love for the game to shine by way of. I feel if I do this, and if I take the shackles off so to talk, then we’ll see what occurs from there. … Most significantly, on the finish of the day, you need to be entertaining.
“If someone goes to go forward and sit down on the sofa and make investments their treasured time watching PGA TOUR golf on CBS, it’s acquired to be entertaining.”
Despite the fact that is enjoying profession ended quicker than he could have anticipated, Immelman is absolutely embracing this second act in golf.