Overnight ratings surged for the first PGA Tour event after The Masters.
Tape delayed final round coverage of the PGA Tour Heritage earned a 2.6 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon, up 63% from last year (1.6), up 30% from 2013 (2.0), and according to Sports Business Daily the highest overnight for final round coverage since 2004.
The 2.6 is tied as the second-highest of the season for a non-major golf telecast, matching final round coverage at Doral and Pebble Beach and trailing only the final round of the Houston Open two weeks earlier (2.7).
The strong numbers are especially impressive considering that CBS coverage aired entirely on tape delay. The start of Sunday’s final round was moved up by several hours due to inclement weather, concluding before CBS went on air at 3 PM ET.
The hype surrounding Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who spent the early part of last week making the talk show rounds, likely played a role in the stronger numbers. Spieth finished in a tie for 11th.
On Saturday, third round action drew a 1.6 overnight — up 14% from last year (1.4) and up 45% from 2011 (1.1).
(Wknd. overnights via Sports Business Daily)
