Imagine television coverage for the Super Bowl beginning at halftime.

Or just half of a World Series game being aired.

At the Masters Tournament, live television coverage of just the back nine has been the norm for decades.

But that could change as soon as next year.

In his annual news conference Wednesday, Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson said 18-hole coverage is a possibility.

``It takes us a long time to get around to making a decision, but we are considering 18-hole coverage for the leaders on Sunday, and possibly that could come about next year.''

The idea has been discussed for the past several years, said CBS Sports President Sean McManus.

``We have not pushed them very hard,'' he said. ``The way we cover it has been perfectly sufficient.''

Now in its 46th year of telecasting the Masters, CBS has had a unique relationship with the tournament over the years. Like changes to the golf course, the network's broadcast also has evolved.

``The concept of them ... dictating to us is really not an accurate portrayal,'' McManus said Saturday. ``It's a very collaborative effort that's worked well for a long time.''

Last year, for example, a lengthy weather delay in Saturday's third round forced the leaders to go off later than planned. CBS was able to use hand-held cameras to show much of the action on the front nine.

``There's this great theory that CBS was forbidden to show the front nine,'' McManus said. ``Last year we showed every shot on every hole because of the rain delay.''

With Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the final pairing, today's telecast should bring high ratings for CBS.

Other majors receive full 18-hole coverage, but McManus said that is an unfair comparison. During the Masters, only four minutes of each hour are devoted to commercials, which is half of what the other networks do. Plus, there is a certain mystique associated with just showing the back nine, McManus said.

``There's a real passion for golf among television viewers now,'' he said. ``There are an awful lot of fans who turn it on at 4 p.m. (Sunday).''

CBS televises from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 4-7 p.m. Sunday. USA Network began televising the first two rounds in 1982.

If CBS does televise the front nine next year, it would not take much work. Some additional cabling and wiring would need to be done.

``The intention of CBS would be of the same quality as of the second nine,'' McManus said. ``We would not do anything of lesser quality just because it is the front nine.''