The Tiger Effect: Masters Final Round Viewership Up 7%

As golf networks like to say, Tiger doesn’t move the needle; he is the needle.

That sports TV adage was borne out again Sunday as CBS Sports’ coverage of the final round of the 2022 Masters averaged 10.2 million viewers — up 7% from last year.

CBS said it was the most-watched golf telecast on any network since Woods captured his fifth green jacket in 2019, which averaged 10.8 million viewers.

By Sunday, Woods was out of contention, as Scottie Scheffler pulled away from the field. 

But just playing — and making the cut — was a victory for Woods, who’s still recovering from his near-fatal car wreck on Feb. 23, 2021. It was Woods’ first competitive tournament action in more than 500 days.

Although there wasn’t much final round drama at Augusta National Golf Club, viewers did stick around to watch World No. 1 Scheffler capture his first major title. 

He collected $2.7 million for winning by three strokes over runner-up Rory McIlroy, adding to a $10.1 million 2021-22 season.

Viewership peaked at 13.2 million viewers as Scheffler finished his final round between 6:45-7 p.m. ET.

The final round also produced the most-streamed golf day ever for CBS and Paramount+.

This year marked CBS’ 67th consecutive Masters broadcast. The Masters is the longest-running sporting event on any network.