With Tiger Woods out of contention, not even a playoff could help the PGA Championship avoid a big drop in overnight ratings.
Sunday’s final round of the PGA Championship, won by Martin Kaymer in a playoff against Bubba Watson, drew a 5.0 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon — down 33% from last year, when Woods finished second (7.5), up 67% from 2008, when Woods did not play (3.0), and down 27% from 2007, the last year Woods won (6.8).
The 5.0 overnight is the fourth-lowest for the final round of the PGA Championship since 1996 — ahead of only 2008, 2004 (4.9) and 2003 (4.8). Keep in mind that the event aired opposite the Olympic Games in both 2008 and 2004.
Overnight ratings peaked at a 7.1 from 7-7:30 PM ET. Last year’s overnight peaked at an 11.6, though that was from 7-7:15 PM.
Sunday’s final round ranks below several recent sporting events — including the NFL Hall of Fame Game the previous Sunday (6.8), the record-low setting MLB All-Star Game (9.3) and even the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Final in June (5.8).
Third round coverage on Saturday drew a 3.1 overnight, down 37% from last year (4.9) and down 33% from 2007 (4.6). Comparable coverage in 2008 was rained out, drawing a 1.0 overnight.
Excluding rainouts, the 3.1 is tied as the lowest for third round coverage of the PGA Championship since ’96.
