CBS Sports names PGA Tour replacement for golf legend Ian Baker-Finch

CBS Sports has confirmed that former PGA Tour professional Colt Knost will step into a full-time booth role for the network’s golf coverage in 2026, succeeding Ian Baker-Finch, who retired from broadcasting towards the end of the 2025 PGA Tour season.

Knost, 40, has been a familiar presence with CBS since 2019, initially joining as an on-course reporter before becoming a full-time member of the team in 2021. 

The American's easygoing style, sharp insight and strong rapport with players have quickly made him a viewer favourite.

A standout amateur, Knost won both the 2007 U.S. Amateur and the 2007 U.S. Public Links, and represented the United States in the Walker Cup that same year. 

He turned professional shortly afterward, forfeiting exemptions into the Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship. 

After two wins on the Nationwide Tour, he earned his PGA Tour card for 2009 and went on to make 199 PGA Tour starts before retiring in 2020.

Knost’s elevation comes after Baker-Finch — winner of the 1991 Open Championship — called time on a distinguished 30-year broadcasting career, including 19 years with CBS.

He will now join Jim Nantz, Trevor Immelman and Frank Nobilo in the main booth, while Dottie Pepper continues as lead on-course reporter, supported by Mark Immelman. Amanda Balionis remains the lead interviewer.

CBS Sports executive Harold Bryant said the promotion was a natural step for one of the network’s fastest-rising voices. 

“Colt has become a valued voice on our team, bringing insight, energy, and his engaging personality to every broadcast,” Bryant said. 

“Elevating him alongside Jim, Trevor, and Frank in our ‘super tower’ is a natural next step that reflects the trust and respect he’s earned.”

Knost shared his excitement on social media. “All I can say is wow! This is by far the biggest honor of my golf career… Torrey Pines can’t get here fast enough. Let’s get this party started!”

CBS returns to the airwaves on 31 January at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where Knost will make his debut in the booth.

Who is Colt Knost?

Before becoming one of CBS Sports’ most popular voices, Knost carved out a decorated amateur résumé and a resilient professional career characterised by perseverance and flashes of elite form.

Born in Garrettsville, Ohio and raised in Pilot Point, Texas, Knost quickly emerged as a standout talent, winning the Class 3A State Championship in 2003 before heading to Southern Methodist University, where he earned all-conference and all-region honours. He was also named 2004 Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.

His amateur peak came in 2007, a historic season in which he won three USGA titles — the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Amateur Public Links, and the team victory at the Walker Cup — joining Bobby Jones (1930) and Jay Sigel (1983) as the only players to achieve that treble. He posted a 2-0-2 record at the Walker Cup, reached No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for five weeks, and received the inaugural Mark H. McCormack Medal before turning professional later that year.

Turning pro meant forfeiting his invitations to the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship, but Knost made an immediate impact. 

After a stint on the PGA Tour late in 2007, he moved to the Nationwide Tour in 2008, winning twice and finishing 6th on the money list, which earned his PGA Tour card for 2009.

What followed was a career defined by determination. Knost moved between the PGA Tour and developmental circuits several times, regaining his card through strong finishes on the Nationwide/Web.com Tour and even via Qualifying School, where he advanced “by the narrowest margin of one stroke” in 2011. His best PGA Tour season came in 2015, when he finished 91st in the FedExCup standings.

In total, he made 199 starts on the PGA Tour before retiring in 2020 after the Waste Management Phoenix Open. His resilience, humour and openness throughout his career later made him a natural fit for broadcasting.

Knost transitioned into media shortly after retiring, ultimately joining CBS Sports’ on-course team and, from 2022, becoming a regular analyst. He also co-hosts the popular “GOLF’s Subpar” podcast with Drew Stoltz.