The Masters Golf Tournament has seen a significant increase in viewership, with ESPN's Thursday coverage of the opening round drawing an average of 3.2 million viewers, marking a 26% increase from the previous year and the largest audience since 2015. This surge in viewership continued into the second round, where ESPN reported an average of 3.6 million viewers, a 69% increase from 2023, bringing the two-day average to 3.4 million viewers, the highest in six years. These numbers are particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, despite a framework agreement announced last year aimed at merging the two. The deal, however, has yet to materialize, leaving fans and players in a state of uncertainty about the future of golf. Notably, the coverage was the most-watched cable telecast of the day, with Tiger Woods' participation underscoring his significant impact on viewership.
Last year, the PGA Tour and PIF announced a framework agreement to transform the future of golf—so, aren't the Tour and LIV Golf supposed to be merged by now? A year later, even the players are confused, writes @_DavidRumsey ⬇️
The second round of the Masters averaged 3.6 million viewers on ESPN, a 69% increase from 2023. The Masters is now averaging 3.4 million viewers on ESPN through two rounds, the network's largest two-day average in 6 years. Tiger still moves the needle. https://t.co/YTzM1JMcE1
On June 6, 2023, nearly every headline claimed that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf were merging. Nearly a year later, an actual deal still hasn’t come together. @_DavidRumsey explains what's going on ⬇️
The ratings for this year's Masters will be telling according to @MarkKreidler. His latest column for BSM⬇️ https://t.co/GndKvV0Wxh
Everything You Need to Know About the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and a Potential Merger - https://t.co/qEs1DQpT3J via @FOS
The opening round of the Masters averaged 3.2 million viewers on ESPN—its largest audience in nine years. https://t.co/joac5HF0kM
The top golfers have been trying to sort out what could be coming next ever since the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s PIF agreed to a bombshell deal last summer. Despite some big proclamations at the time, not much has changed in the ensuing 10 months. @_DavidRumsey’s feature ⤵️
Masters Tournament First Round Viewership on ESPN Highest Since 2015 https://t.co/MLAhs5x9Gj
🚨📺✅ #RATINGS BOOM — ESPN’s Thursday coverage of #TheMasters drew 3.2M viewers, the highest number for opening day since 2015. https://t.co/sh0HFYo6PD
The opening round of The Masters averaged 3.2 million viewers on ESPN. That’s a 26% viewership increase from last year and the largest first-round audience at the Masters since 2015. A very positive sign for golf fans. https://t.co/gflAX0vivJ
Masters begins with largest opening round audience since 2015: https://t.co/LQ8lKlssMy
ESPN's 3P-8:07P ET Thursday coverage of The Masters averaged 3.167m and was the most-watched cable telecast of the day.
The Masters is a beloved golf major with a starry field and few problems attracting an audience. But with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf still at odds, @JasonGay wonders if fans are getting fed up. https://t.co/OpqeCH9lo3