Masters draws best final round audience since 2018

The Masters on Sunday afternoon drew its best final round audience since 2018, as PGA Tour player Jon Rahm secured his first green jacket by four strokes over LIV golfers Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka. CBS from 2:30-7:48pm ET drew 12.1 million viewers, which is the best final round from Augusta National since 2018, when CBS drew just over 13 million for Patrick Reed’s one-stroke, last putt win over Rickie Fowler. The final round this year also is up 19% from 10.2 million viewers for Scottie Scheffler’s wire-to-wire win last year (by three strokes over Rory McIlroy). Tiger Woods made the cut this year, but withdrew after that. Last year, he placed 47th. Woods' win in 2019 which drew 10.8 million viewers was pushed to earlier in the afternoon on Sunday due to weather concerns (9am-3:30pm). Final round coverage on Sunday -- the first time the event aired on Easter Sunday since Bubba Watson’s win in 2012 -- peaked at just over 15 million viewers from 7:00-7:15pm. The final round also delivered the best sporting event on an Easter Sunday since 2013, when an NCAA Elite Eight matchup between Duke and Louisville delivered 15.7 million.

IN THE EARLY WINDOW: Earlier on Sunday, CBS wrapped up the third round of the Masters from 8:30-11:54am, averaging 4.2 million viewers (most coverage on Saturday was rained out). Looking at CBS’ total live golf on Sunday (morning + afternoon), the third and final rounds combined for 16.3 million viewers. Complete local market ratings for the final round will be available. On Friday, ESPN averaged 2.4 million viewers for the second round of the Masters, with play suspended at 4:22pm due to weather (which was the second suspension of play after a break from 3:07-3:30pm). The figure is down 38% from same round last year, which was Woods’ return to golf after a year-and-a-half break (and when coverage aired until 7:30pm). Thursday’s first round coverage on ESPN for the Masters averaged 2.5 million viewers, down 11% vs. 2.8 million last year.