The lack of drama on the back nine Sunday, compounded by the absence of Tiger Woods, led to low TV ratings for the Masters.
CBS’ coverage drew a 7.8 national overnight rating for the final round, which saw Bubba Watson win by three shots over Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt. The rating was down 24 percent from 10.2 for last year’s final round, which ended with Adam Scott winning in a playoff.
Third-round coverage Saturday posted a 4.4 rating on CBS, down 30 percent from 6.3 for last year’s third round.
According to the Nielsen rating figures compiled by Sports Business Daily, Sunday’s overnight rating was the lowest for a Masters final round in 10 years. The 2004 final round posted a 7.3 rating but was played on Easter Sunday, which typically reduces the tournament’s TV audience.
In 2012, when Watson won his first Masters in a playoff, the final round posted an 8.1 rating on Easter Sunday.
Ratings also were down for ESPN’s telecasts of first- and second-round play. Thursday’s opening round posted a 1.5 rating, down 25 percent from last year. Friday’s second round drew a 1.8 rating, down 40 percent from last year.
Nielsen’s overnight ratings are based on the nation’s 56 largest TV markets. One full rating point equals 1 percent of the TV households in those markets tuned in to the event.
Woods did not play in the Masters because of recent back surgery, the first time he has missed the tournament since 1994.
