TLDR:
- Masters viewing figures dropped by 20%.
- Rory McIlroy blames tensions between PGA Tour and LIV Golf for decline.
Key Elements:
Viewership for this year’s Masters Tournament dropped by 20 per cent, with Rory McIlroy linking the decrease in ratings to tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The opening round saw a significant increase in viewership, with an average of 3.2 million viewers on ESPN marking a 26 per cent increase from the previous year. However, the final round experienced a 20 per cent drop in viewership compared to the previous year, marking the lowest-rated Masters since 2021. McIlroy expressed concern about the impact of the conflict between LIV and the PGA Tour on overall viewership and interest in golf. He also noted the implications of LIV golfers not being eligible to earn Official World Golf Rankings points.
McIlroy had initially criticized LIV Golf but later expressed regret, shifting his stance towards the league. Speculation about McIlroy potentially joining LIV on a multi-million-dollar deal arose, but his manager denied such reports. Early adopters of LIV included Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia, with Mickelson reportedly receiving a large sum just for participation.