British Open: Overnight Ratings Up Double-Digits For First Round on ESPN

The third major of the golf season got off to a good start on ESPN.

First round coverage of the 2012 British Open drew a 1.1 overnight rating on ESPN Thursday morning and afternoon, up 22% from last year (0.9), and even with 2010 (1.1).

In addition to the primary 7:00 AM-3:00 PM ET window, early morning coverage from 4:30 AM to 7:00 AM drew a 0.7 overnight, up 40% from last year (0.5), and up a tick from 2010 (0.6).

ESPN is televising the entire British Open for the third straight year. Prior to 2010, the event aired on TNT and ABC.

(Thursday’s numbers from ESPN)