The PGA Tour’s “fifth major” scored one of its lowest overnights since the turn of the century.
Final round coverage of The Players Championship had a 3.1 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, down 21% from last year (3.9) but up 19% from 2014 (2.6). The 3.1 is tied as the third-lowest for the final round of the tournament since at least 1998, matching 2006 and ahead of only 2005 and 2014 (2.6 both years).
Overnights have now declined for 11 of the past 14 PGA Tour rounds on broadcast, not including rainout coverage from New Orleans two weeks ago.
Despite the drop, the 3.1 overnight is the highest for any non-major PGA telecast since the final round at Pebble Beach in February (3.4). The 3.1 was also the second-highest of the weekend for any sporting event, behind competing coverage of the NBA Playoffs on ABC (4.4).
Third round action on Saturday had a 2.3 overnight, even with last year and up 15% from 2014 (2.0).
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
