The Masters kicked off one of golf’s most anticipated weekends with a huge ratings boost.
ESPN’s live coverage of Thursday’s first round averaged 3.2 million viewers, the highest since 2015. That year, Jordan Spieth shot an 8-under 64 in the opening round to win his first major title.
This year, Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Brooks Koepka, Brian Herman, Dustin Johnson and Spieth highlighted afternoon waves, which overlapped with ESPN’s coverage from 3pm to 8pm ET. was.
Woods played the first 13 holes well and finished at 1 under after officials suspended play Thursday night. After unfortunately missing the Genesis Invitational in mid-February, he appeared healthy and was a welcome sight to golf fans around the world.
Woods then resumed his opening round early Friday morning, posting a 1-over 73 with two bogeys in his final five holes.
Interestingly, in 2015 Woods returned from a long layoff and shot a 73, just like he did this year. Except this time, the 15-time major champion set a new Masters record by making 24 consecutive cuts. He shot an even-par 72 at Augusta National on Friday.
But by the end of the day Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau held the lead at 7 under, with Scottie Scheffler one stroke behind.
Viewership on Thursday reached 3.8 million at the 6:15 p.m.
Last year’s first round, in which Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Koepka opened with a 7-under 65, drew an average of 2.5 million viewers.
This year’s Masters looks to be a hotly contested affair, and that number could grow even more as the week progresses.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
