Continuing a stronger start to the 2012 golf season, the first round of The Masters scored a modest increase in viewership on ESPN.
First round coverage of The Masters golf tournament drew 2.661 million viewers on ESPN Thursday afternoon, according to Nielsen fast-nationals — up 4% from last year (2.550M), but down 46% from a record audience in 2010 (4.936M).
The telecast ranks third out of the five first round Masters telecasts on ESPN since the network began airing the tournament in 2008.
(Thursday’s numbers obtained from ESPN Media Zone)
