The numbers were not spectacular, but the final round of the British Open managed a double-digit increase in ratings from last year.
Final round coverage of the 2009 British Open, featuring Stewart Cink‘s win in a playoff over Tom Watson, drew a 3.9 overnight rating on ABC — up 11% from a 3.5 last year, but down 5% from a 4.1 in ’07.
The 3.9 overnight is the second-lowest for the final round of the British Open since at least ’98. Despite the relatively low number, this marks the first time since Tiger Woods‘ victory in ’05 that ratings have increased for final round coverage of the event.
To put the 3.9 in perspective, the men’s final at Wimbledon drew a 4.2 overnight earlier this month. Additionally, the 3.9 for the British Open is lower than the overnights for several non-major PGA events this year, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational (4.9), AT&T National (4.6) and Players Championship (4.1).
Third round coverage on Saturday drew a 2.4 overnight, down 14% from last year’s 2.8.
Overnight ratings for the final round of the British Open since ’96.
| Year | Date | Winner | Net | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sun., 7/19/09 | Cink | ABC | |
| 2008 | Sun., 7/20/08 | Harrington | ABC | |
| 2007 | Sun., 7/22/07 | Harrington | ABC | |
| 2006 | Sun., 7/23/06 | Woods | ABC | |
| 2005 | Sun., 7/17/05 | Woods | ABC | |
| 2004 | Sun., 7/18/04 | Hamilton | ABC | |
| 2003 | Sun., 7/20/03 | Curtis | ABC | |
| 2002 | Sun., 7/21/02 | Els | ABC | |
| 2001 | Sun., 7/22/01 | Duval | ABC | |
| 2000 | Sun., 7/23/00 | Woods | ABC | |
| 1999 | Sun., 7/18/99 | Lawrie | ABC | |
| 1998 | Sun., 7/19/98 | O’Meara | ABC | |
| 1997 | Sun., 7/20/97 | Leonard | ABC | |
| 1996 | Sun., 7/21/96 | Lehman | ABC |
