Even if he does not win, having Tiger Woods in contention is a boon for PGA TV ratings.
Final round coverage of the The Barclays, the first event of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup, earned a 3.7 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon — up 37% from last year (2.7), and up 48% from 2011 (2.5). Woods finished in a tie for second on Sunday and had a chance to force a playoff.
The 3.7 is tied with 2009 — another year when Woods finished second — and 2003 as the highest for the event since 1998 (4.1).
Sunday’s 3.7 is also tied as the fourth-highest overnight for a non-major golf tournament this year, trailing only Woods’ wins at the Bridgestone Invitational (3.8), WGC-CA Championship (4.4) and The Players’ Championship (5.7).
Third round action on Saturday was flat, with a 2.2 overnight.
(Weekend overnights from Sports Business Daily)
