Jim Nantz has a hard time recognizing the reality of the situation.

The CBS announcer is trying to prepare for the end of an era. After 35 years as the lead CBS golf analyst, Ken Venturi will describe his final Masters Tournament today.

"I get emotional when I think about him not being there anymore," Nantz said. "He's a dear friend, mentor, confidante. I'm not ready for him to go. I'm not ready to show up at these tournaments and not have his companionship."

The 70-year-old Venturi, who joined CBS as a part-time employee in 1968, will hang up his microphone after the conclusion of the Kemper Open on June 2. His retirement coincides with four-time champion Arnold Palmer's final year as a Masters competitor.

"Thirty-five years is a long time," Venturi said. "Many years ago, I was very good friends with Joe DiMaggio. We had dinner in New York after he retired, and I said, 'Joe, why would you retire? You still have some good years left.' He looked at me and said, 'Ken, let me tell you something. When you're good, you can always get in. It's knowing when to get out.' And I think it's time to get out."

As a member of the 1953 Walker Cup team, Venturi first got into the Masters in 1954, finishing tied for 16th. A year later, he qualified for the Masters again. But Uncle Sam had other plans.

A member of the infantry, Venturi was shipped overseas for the Korean War. He served two years in the Army and was not qualified for the 1956 Masters.

Two-time Masters champion Ben Hogan contended that Venturi should be exempt for the '56 Masters because he qualified for the previous year's event but was prevented from playing. The then-25-year-old amateur was allowed to play, and nearly pulled off a Masters miracle.

Venturi held a four-shot lead over Cary Middlecoff after 54 holes. But in his bid to become the first amateur Masters champion, Venturi shot a final-round 80 and lost by one shot to Jack Burke Jr. - who had one of only two subpar final rounds.

"I hit 15 greens, but I three-putted six times," Venturi said.

In 1960, Palmer snatched the green jacket off Venturi's back. With Venturi leading by one in the clubhouse, Palmer played the final two holes birdie-birdie to win his second Masters title.

"I'm in the clubhouse, and he finishes 3-3-3 to win," Venturi said. "The next year, Gary Player was in the clubhouse in the lead, and Palmer went 3-4-6 and lost.

"I was thinking 'Why the hell me? What did I do?' But I gave it my best."

Venturi never got his revenge in Augusta, but he did win the 1964 U.S. Open. He won 14 PGA Tour events in a career that was cut short because of what he called "trigger fingers," in which his fingers would draw down from the tendon to the palm.

"I wonder what I could have done if I would have stayed healthy and not lost the use of my hands," he said. "I went five years where I was either the favorite or co-favorite in every tournament I played."

Venturi played a full schedule in 1969. After having surgery on his hands in 1970, he gave up playing the PGA Tour.

"CBS said if I'd fully retire, they'd give me a full-time contract," Venturi said. "I asked my doctor if I could play again, and he said, 'Yes, but never to your standards.' I quit cold turkey right then."

Before working his way up to the tower at the No. 18 green, Venturi started as a field reporter. Controversy ensued. Former CBS golf director Frank Chirkinian wanted Venturi inside the ropes for his insight. It was a move frowned on by Clifford Roberts, the chairman Augusta National Golf Club at the time.

"Mr. Roberts calls me over with Frank and says, 'When you get inside the ropes, what kind of questions are you going to ask the players?"' Venturi said. "I said, 'Mr. Roberts, if I have to ask the players any questions then I shouldn't be there. If you were there asking me if I'm going to win the Masters, I'd hit you in the head with the microphone.' And he turned to Frank Chirkinian and said, 'He goes inside the ropes."'

After several complaints from the media about his access, Venturi's unique venture ended. But his role as golf analyst continued. Venturi is now the longest-running TV analyst of any sport, he said.

"The thing that has made CBS golf so successful is the fact that we have a team that people can tune in to and who people know are there," CBS announcer Peter Kostis said. "They're familiar with the voices; they're familiar with the commentary."

In his 48th year at the Masters as a player and analyst, Venturi will be remembered for coining the phrase "The tournament doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday."

Of the Sunday back nines he has seen, Venturi remembered Jack Nicklaus' chargeto win in 1986 as the greatest.

"That year was fictional," Venturi said. "It can't be done."

Venturi will see whether fiction can be created again today for the final time. Lanny Wadkins, who is working Butler Cabin this year, will step into Venturi's role as golf analyst in June.

"There always has to be change," Kostis said. "Lanny Wadkins will do a fine job. I think our telecast will be different without Kenny there and with Lanny there. That doesn't mean it'll be better or worse, just different."