Nobody moves PGA Tour ratings like Tiger Woods, but his poor play at the Bridgestone Invitational muted his impact on the ratings.
Sunday’s final round of the PGA Tour/WGC-Bridgestone Invitational had a 2.3 rating and 3.45 million viewers on CBS, up 28% in ratings and 30% in viewership from last year (1.8, 2.66M) and up 21% and 22% respectively from 2016 (1.9, 2.82M).
Justin Thomas‘ win delivered the tournament’s highest rating and viewership since the final round in 2015 (2.4, 3.46M).
Tiger Woods finished tied for 31st and was not in contention Sunday. Compared to the last time Woods played the tournament, 2014, ratings fell 8% (from 2.5) and 6% (from 3.68M).
Third round action on Saturday had a 2.0 and 2.9 million, up 43% in ratings and 42% in viewership from last year (1.4, 2.1M) and up 54% and 57% respectively from 2016 (1.3, 1.9M). It was the highest rated and most-watched third round of the tournament since 2013 (2.6, 3.6M).
Woods has now played in 24 rounds on broadcast television this season, with 23 of those posting an increase in ratings and viewership. Even so, his poor play clearly limited the gains. Sunday’s telecast was just the third final round involving Woods this season that did not increase by at least 30 percent.
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel had a 0.6 (+66%) and 963,000 (+79%) on Saturday and a 0.7 (+65%) and 1.0 million (+81%) on Sunday.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 8.7]
