With Tiger Woods in contention early and Phil Mickelson hoisting the trophy, it is no surprise that the British Open hit a four-year high on ESPN.
Final round coverage of the British Open earned a 3.6 overnight rating on ESPN Sunday, up 9% from last year (3.3), and up 39% from 2011 (2.6). The 3.6 overnight is the highest for final round coverage since ABC last aired the event in 2009 (3.9).
Despite the four-year high, the 3.6 overnight is the sixth-lowest for final round coverage since at least 1995 (overnights prior to 1996 were not available) — ahead of only 1996 (3.5), 2008 (3.5), 2010 (2.6), 2011 (2.6) and 2012 (3.3).
On Saturday, third round action drew a 3.1 overnight — up a tick from last year (3.0), and up 63% from 2011 (1.9). The 3.1 is the highest for third round action since 2006 (3.5).
(Weekend overnights from Sports Business Daily)
