Over the course of many years within the PGA Tour, there has been a multitude of star athletes and broadcasters. One in particular who has reached the finish line within his Tour career, is the illustrious Ian Baker-Finch. Finch has had a full career to say the least, including his time from the course to the broadcast booth. Golf on CBS will be saying their farewell to a legend after 19 strong years, but also watching him embark into the next steps of his life and career. Concluding that stout career with this week’s Wyndham Championship, which has held up their end of the bargain with many strong performances.
Legacy Permanently Inked
Baker-Finch was a face known within the golf community for quite some time before joining ESPN and ABC, in 1988 after retiring from the game itself. That move came after competing in one round of the 1997 Open Championship. Through 167 events played in the career of Baker-Finch, he has two Tour victories and an official $2,078,743 in career earnings.
“Golf has been an enormous part of my life. I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television,” Baker-Finch said . “To my CBS Sports family, my teammates, producers, directors, and crew. Thank you for your extraordinary talent, dedication, and camaraderie. You’ve made every moment in the booth a joy, transforming broadcasts into cherished memories. To my colleagues across the industry and golf fans around the world, your support and shared love for this game over these decades have meant everything.”
Getting the chance to end his run as a major broadcaster with the Wyndham Championship, Baker-Finch has defied the odds of what it means to play both roles while grabbing his lone Major Championship. After joining ESPN in ‘98, Baker-Finch had the pleasure of joining Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo at CBS.
“As I step away, I carry with me immense gratitude and pride for the moments we’ve shared on and off the course,” Baker-Finch said. “Here’s to new adventures and the enduring love of golf.”
The Last Broadcast
Realizing his love for not only the sport of golf but broadcasting it as well, Baker-Finch is still in the booth and speaking knowledge. His final calls are coming in the Wyndham Championship despite recently announcing his plans to step away and retire. His ability to be both impactful on the course and in the booth, is truly the embodiment of living for the game of golf.
“As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” CBS Sports CEO David Berson said. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on the air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf. Finchy will always be part of the CBS Sports family, and we thank him for being an incredible teammate and friend.”
As the final round of the Wyndham Championship concludes Sunday evening, Baker-Finch gives his final calls while Cameron Young will walk into first ever Tour title in his 94th career start.
Main Photo Credit: © The Augusta Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK
