Golf Update: Final Round of TPC Up Slightly; Big Jump For Colonial

Final round coverage of The Players Championship had a slight increase in ratings and viewership on NBC earlier this month.

NBC earned a 3.1 final rating and 4.672 million viewers for final round coverage of The Players Championship on May 15, up a tick in ratings and virtually even in viewership compared to last year (3.0, 4.664M), but down 14% and 13%, respectively, from 2009 (3.6, 5.368M).

Both this year and last, Tiger Woods pulled out of the tournament prior to the final round due to injury. In 2009, Woods finished eighth.

Rain-delayed third round coverage drew a 1.4 and 2.132 million viewers on May 14, down 39% and 36%, respectively, from last year (2.3, 3.336M).

Big Increase For Crowne Plaza Invitational: CBS saw double-digit increases for coverage of the Crowne Plaza Invitational this past weekend.

Sunday’s final round action earned a 2.1 overnight, up a whopping 110% from last year (1.0), and up 17% from 2009 (1.8). Meanwhile, third round coverage on Saturday drew a 1.1, up 22% from last year (0.9), but down 15% from 2009 (1.3).

Ratings/Viewership For Third and Final Round Coverage of The Players Championship
Dating Back to 2002

Year	Winner	Net	Third			Final
Year	Winner	Net	Date	Rating	Viewers (000)	Date	Rating	Viewers (000)
2011	Choi	NBC	5/14	1.4	2,132	5/15	3.1	4,672
2010	Clark	NBC	5/8	2.3	3,336	5/9	3.0	4,664
2009	Stenson	NBC	5/9	2.6	—	5/10	3.6	5,368
2008	Garc?a	NBC	5/10	1.8	2,412	5/11	3.1	4,688
2007	Mickelson	NBC	5/11	2.5	3,313	5/12	3.6	5,007
2006	Ames	NBC	3/25	2.9	3,920	3/26	2.9	4,061
2005*	Funk	NBC	3/26	3.0	4,061	3/27	2.2	3,268
2004	Scott	NBC	3/27	2.6	3,338	3/28	3.6	4,907
2003	Love III	NBC	3/29	2.9	3,778	3/30	3.7	4,892
2002	Perks	NBC	3/23	4.0	5,386	3/24	4.8	6,566