The ongoing split between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has caused concern among golf legends like Nicklaus, Player, and Watson. Despite this rift, the Masters tournament has seen a significant increase in viewership, with the opening round attracting 3.2 million viewers on ESPN, the highest since 2015.
The opening round of the Masters averaged 3.2 million viewers on ESPN—its largest audience in nine years. https://t.co/joac5HF0kM
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.
Golf has a TV ratings problem — and the Masters could shine a light on why viewers are tuning out https://t.co/8kL9jsFvsz
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
The bitter civil war between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour has ripped the sport apart https://t.co/zrEDcvYkmu
Masters greats tee off on PGA Tour/LIV split https://t.co/4ochsdveIy https://t.co/krv3yN8al8
Nicklaus, Player, Watson lament state of golf amid PGA-LIV rift https://t.co/bivcStuDuE
Masters legends lament the ongoing LIV Golf-PGA Tour fracture https://t.co/6mPyNG0aiM
Will #themasters provide a welcome distraction and showcase world-class golf amid the league's recent decline in viewership? Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/VsfaQeA2PG