Tiger Woods may not be back to his old self on the course, but he is still in his prime as a television draw.
Third round coverage of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament, Woods’ first competitive event in more than a year, earned a 1.4 final rating and 2.0 million viewers on NBC last Saturday — up 100% in ratings and 115% in viewership from last year (0.7, 953K) and up 75% and 86%, respectively, from 2014 (0.8, 1.1M).
It was the most-watched round of the tournament since the final round in 2013, when Woods finished second (2.1M), and tied that telecast as the highest rated since Woods last won in 2011 (2.4).
Outside of majors and the Ryder Cup, Saturday’s telecast delivered the largest third round audience at any PGA tournament since The Memorial in June (2.1M) — not insignificant for a December tournament that aired opposite college football’s SEC Championship Game (7.8, 12.8M).
Final round coverage on Sunday did not fare as well, earning a 1.0 and 1.4 million — up 67% in ratings and viewership from last year (0.6, 835K) and up 43% and 35%, respectively, from 2014 (0.7, 1.0M).
(Wknd. numbers from NBC Sports Group Press Box 12/7)
