Three-time Masters champ and former co-lead ABC golf analyst Nick Faldo will replace Lanny Wadkins next year as the lead golf analyst on CBS (SI story here). Wadkins declined to accept a lesser role with the network and will thus play more on the Champions Tour next season, as well as see more of his family.
Peter McCleery thinks its a good move for CBS:
Faldo trades places with Lanny Wadkins, who replaced the “legendary” Ken Venturi four years ago. While I initially welcomed a change after 29 years of Kenny and his well-worn repertoire, Wadkins ultimately disappointed us. He was, quite simply, too repetitve with his own overused and unnecessary phrases, like “that is well done!” and “at this point in time,” among others, all of which he should have been told to retire before they grated on so many viewers’ nerves and ears.
When Wadkins joined CBS a well-versed TV person predicted there was little room for improvement there. What you saw is what you were gonna get. This is also, largely the fault of the producers and directors he worked with for not properly “coaching” their people on how to get better, something any armchair critic could have done with Wadkins.[. . .]
CBS’ golf became duller with [Wadkins] as its lead voice.
McCleery also notes the rather amazing transformation of Faldo from his days as a PGA Tour player:
Faldo’s hire and emergence as Mr. Golf on TV continues his amazing transformation from an aloof/loner/player who was famous for saying NOTHING to his fellow competitors before or during his rounds, making more enemies than friends along the way. Now, it’s as if a totally different person has come out–funny, likable, a little unpredictable at times but rarely dull. He seems to recognize the power and value of the ole telly as few players have. He dresses very well, too.