Johnson Wagner Leaves Golf Channel For New Role At CBS Sports
The popular Golf Channel analyst has joined CBS Sports in the role vacated by Colt Knost
The Golf Channel’s Johnson Wagner has joined the CBS Sports golf team as its new on-course reporter for 2026.
The three-time PGA Tour winner takes the place of Colt Knost in the role, with Knost promoted to the position of analyst from the start of the 2026 season, after Ian Baker-Finch called time on his long stint in the role in August.
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Wagner joined the NBC Sports' golf team in 2023, and regularly appears as an analyst on its PGA Tour and Major coverage.
He also appears on Golf Central and Golf Central Live From, and is best known for taking on the toughest shots seen during the day’s play at various events, beginning at the 2024 Players Championship.
One of his most memorable efforts saw him replicate Bryson DeChambeau's glorious 72nd hole bunker shot that helped him win the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2, with the LIV Golfer alongside him offering advice.
Perhaps more endearing for viewers are the occasions where Wagner's efforts haven’t quite gone to plan, including one hilarious skull shank bunker escape at this year’s American Express.
Johnson Wagner (@johnson_wagner) demonstrates how to play from the dauntingly steep greenside bunker on 16 at the Stadium Course. 😅 pic.twitter.com/NYgvfkKqwHJanuary 16, 2025
Never afraid to get stuck in, Wagner was also part of the broadcasting team at the inaugural Golf Channel Games. Ahead of the contest, he and his colleagues attempted the Team Relay and 14-Club Challenge.
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Keith Mitchell, Johnson Wagner, Brad Faxon and Smylie Kaufman attempt the Team Relay Challenge at the @Optum Golf Channel Games. 🏃🏁 pic.twitter.com/r5nfxv37MADecember 17, 2025
It is the latest high-profile move in the golf broadcasting landscape after Henni Zuel left Sky Sports to join LIV Golf. Cara Banks also recently left the Golf Channel to join the wider NBC Sports team.
CBS Sports' golf team for 2026:
- Host: Jim Nantz
- Lead analyst: Trevor Immelman
- Analyst: Frank Nobillo
- Analyst: Colt Knost
- Lead on-course reporter: Dottie Pepper
- On-course reporter: Mark Immelman
- On-course reporter: Johnson Wagner
- Reporter/interviews: Amanda Balionis
- Host (selected events): Andrew Catalon
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
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