This CBS cameraman owns TWO of the greatest shots in Masters history – Golf.com

By: James Colgan March 30, 2022

Two of the most famous shots in Masters history belong to the same CBS cameraman.

The Masters/CBS

Theyre two of the most famous camera shots in Masters history. In fact, they might even be two of the most famous camera shots in golf history.

Roll back the tape and watch them both. Theres Tiger and Earl Woods, circa 1997. Tiger has just conquered the world, becoming the first Black golfer ever to win the Masters at the tender age of 21. Watch as tears well in Tigers eyes nestled in his fathers warmth WOODS emblazoned upon the back of Earls cap.

Now fast forward to 2021. Theres Hideki Matsuyama, the first Asian winner in tournament history. And theres his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, fulfilling the traditional caddie duty of removing the 18th flag. Then watch as Shota bows quietly in acknowledgment of Augusta National.

What you dont see what you cant see is that the man on the other side of the lens for both shots is the same. His name is Eric Leidel, and he is one of CBSs longest-tenured cinematographers (or cameramen, for the layman).

Leidel was a youngster at the Masters in 97 when he hustled over to the area next to the 18th green with a camera on his shoulder. As luck would have it, he would punctuate his first Masters as a cameraman by grabbing Earl and Tiger in full embrace. It was the shot of the tournament a moment that was replayed everywhere in the days following.

In 2021, Leidel succeeded legendary CBS Sports cameraman Davey Finch in the 18th Tower at Augusta National. As the tournament wrapped to his left and Hideki Matsuyama walked the path up to the clubhouse, Leidel spotted Matsuyamas caddie, Shota Hayafuji, headed toward the green. He trained his camera in the direction of the flagstick, careful to leave room at the top of the shot, and watched as Hayafuji grabbed the flag, removed it, and bowed toward the flag. Once again, Leidel had grabbed the shot of the tournament, which quickly made the rounds worldwide.

Down in Butler Cabin, Jim Nantz couldnt believe his eyes.

When [CBS Golf lead producer Sellers Shy] rolled it in, I was just awestruck, Nantz said Wednesday. The minute I laid eyes on it, it was so powerful. I called it the shot of the year in golf. Most times you would think it would be someone pulling off an up-and-down or a bunker shot thats holed to win a tournament, but to me that was my favorite shot in golf. Just the respect that was shown for the opponent, and in this case, the course. It was extraordinary.

That the shot was even captured is a testament to Leidel, Nantz explained Wednesday, who couldve very easily been anywhere else.

The action had long left that stage, Nantz said. He was up in the up in the tower alone and could have been breaking down at that point. He happened to just notice that the caddie was reentering the putting surface. So he took his camera, went over and framed it. Then he stayed with it.

The resultant camera shot placed Leidels work firmly in the annals Masters history. Again.

Its that kind of ingenuity that kind of presence of mind. Its an artist, really, Nantz said. He deserves all the credit in the world. We have great people. Their jobs are more meaningful than anyones, really. What they do to present the Masters through their lens is pretty amazing.

James Colgan is an assistant editor at GOLF, contributing stories for the website and magazine on a broad range of topics. He writes the Hot Mic, GOLFs weekly media column, and utilizes his broadcast experience across the brands social media and video platforms. A 2019 graduate of Syracuse University, James and evidently, his golf game is still defrosting from four years in the snow, during which time he cut his teeth at NFL Films, CBS News and Fox Sports. Prior to joining GOLF, James was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from.

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This CBS cameraman owns TWO of the greatest shots in Masters history - Golf.com