PGA Championship Ratings Double From 2008, More Proof That Tiger Is Golf

Tiger Woods led the first three days of the PGA Championship and halfway through the fourth. And then Y.E. Yang happened. But Yang's victory was so unexpected, so sudden, so ... not according to script, that by the time the reality of what happened washed over jaw-agaped onlookers it was too late.

In terms of ratings, anyway.

Via a Turner Sports press release, TNT saw substantial increases in viewership. Coverage for the first two rounds was up 86 percent over last year, and the weekend coverage (a three-hour block that preceded CBS' telecast) was up 67 percent over 2008.

CBS, which has had the great fortune of televising the two previous PGA Tour events prior to the PGA Championship -- both Tiger victories that also brought huge ratings -- also saw a spike in viewership for its final-round coverage. According to the New York Times' Richard Sandomir, CBS generate a 7.5 preliminary overnight rating, up 150 percent from Padraig Harrington's victory last year.

Also, Sandomir adds, it was the highest-rated Sunday at the PGA Championship since Rich Beem held off a surging Tiger to win his first and only major in 2002.

And then there's PGA.com. The web site streamed the event live, offering viewers several options (network feed, par 3s, marquee group of the day) and, via the Turner Sports presser, "delivered a total of 3.4 million video streams, including a record 2.4 million live player streams, a 204% increase from 2008."

So depending on when Tiger loses, others (namely advertisers and networks) can still win. The trick is timing; if Woods shoots himself out of a tournament early -- or worse, misses the cut -- you can forget about it. But if he's hanging around the leaderboard -- or better, leading after three rounds -- you're in for a ratings bonanza no matter the outcome.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-18-2009 @ 10:05AM

GolferBuzz said...

Frankly, I watch tournaments when Lefty is playing. If he's not plaing well enough, than I usually tune out or watch to see if Tiger will get his lunch handed to him. i.e. British Open...PGA Championship. I admit a lot of times he rises to the occassion...but, I'm basically a ABT man. Anybody, but Tiger. I'm tired of the 4-6 recaps of his round that day, when he's not even in the top ten in a tournament. It's only my opinion, but it just gets to be way too much!

8-20-2009 @ 10:44AM

hilldale3 said...

Excuse me, he has been in the top 10 in 11 of 13 events this year. So I guess the media must have really bothered you with talking about him in the 2 events he missed the top 2.

8-18-2009 @ 10:22AM

crlocengr said...

Well then GolferBuzz, I guess you've been getting up real early on weekends to watch because Mickelsons been teeing off around 7AM lately. In fact, he's usually finished when the leaders (Woods and whoever) are on the first tee.

8-18-2009 @ 10:29AM

Paul MacLeod said...

what surprised most while watching this tournament is that Tiger never adjusted on the greens, it was obvious that the breaks were less than he had anticipated, most were left to right and he missed ALL OF THEM by less than 1/2 inch yet never made the adjustment along the way. tee to green was good enough, not great but still good enough. two putts would have made the difference and one less lose shot ... nice to be able to coach from the living room .. isn't it

8-18-2009 @ 3:05PM

godabarb said...

Paul,
tiger struggling is still an interesting golfer to watch and cheer on - good or bad....
I have a list of ones I follow - but they are so often not in contention

8-18-2009 @ 11:12AM

ouch! "criocengr" that certainly hurt! :o) Leave it to one of you Tiger fans to have to make some sarcastic, yet idiotic comment to defend their idol.

8-19-2009 @ 10:31AM

Lisa said...

The truth really does hurt, the guys right, you have had some early mornings watching Phil. You may need to go to bed early just to be sure you are fresh for the Phil yee times

8-18-2009 @ 9:36PM

tspencer4jc said...

Golf is a game and the player is expected to win some and lose some. That's the nature of the beast. So why is it expected that Tiger should win every time. I believe that just like in any sport, on any given day, someone will eventually get the best of you. This pass Sunday, the person who got the best/worst of Tiger was Y.E.Yang. Does losing make Tiger any worst of a player or does it make Y.E.Yang any better of a player? I don't think its either, after 14-0 in majors when leading after 54 holes, the law of average will probably say it was his time to lose.
A big congratulation to Y.E. Yang for being in the right place at the right time.

8-19-2009 @ 2:24PM

nickcherryl said...

I think his white women is draining his body, he can't make the two meet. Remember his old man told him you can screw and play golf, they just don't mix for you.

8-20-2009 @ 6:35PM

jwcisler said...

"hilldale3" or what ever you're name is...I just tried to give you my opinion...and rather courteously...I might add. Assinine as you seem to be...your idol is an idiot...along with that jerk who loops for him. You guys ought to get a room together.

8-21-2009 @ 7:49AM

csp5257 said...

Golferbuzz,

Your just not getting it..and loosers usually have trouble keeeping up,your as old as fred flintstones bowling ball wake and smell the coffee,Tiger has changed the Game of golf and your to blind to aknowledge that..or should I say where's Barney Betty? Are you a kin to Jay "sorry A@# -o-,Mariotti-.. Golferbuzz The next exit budd!

8-21-2009 @ 7:58AM

Tspencer4jc,

Giving you props..it's all the way live with your comment..

Rational reasoning!

I think comments like golferbuzz and others,are ppl that never played a sport in there life and simply have no rational reason to maybe not being able to win..Keeep up the good work

Marriotti OUT --Tjspencer4jc In..Get It AOL!!!

8-22-2009 @ 8:49PM

amorash said...

Tiger is a robot and swears too much. Boring and only into himself. Thank God we had/have Trevino, Palmer, Couples, Cink, Sergio,
Perry, and alll the others that play and have a personality (and golf "etiquette).
(and seem to have fun doing it)...No swearing but they all hit "bad" shots too. I can swear but the TV isnt focused on me all the time.

8-24-2009 @ 12:35AM

joyces78626 said...

I've watched Tiger grow up on tv hitting a golf ball. He is a very gifted but even the best have off days. I truely enjoy watching golf even when Tiger wasn't working. I wish Phil's ladies the best. Cancer is a bad illness to cope with. Enjoy the game folks and admire their abilities!