:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31530199/166507305.0.jpg)
The absence of Tiger Woods at this year’s Masters continues to have a negative impact on TV ratings, with ESPN reporting that viewership for Friday's second round was down significantly from that of last year when Woods was in the hunt for his 15th major.
Getting past Tiger
In 2013, even before the full impact of Woods’ disastrous fracas with the flagstick on the 15th hole had come to light, the worldwide leader enjoyed its highest-rated (3.0) and most-viewed (4.2 million watchers) Friday telecast since it began broadcasting the Masters in 2008.
This year, though Friday’s ratings were improved from Thursday’s, with Woods sidelined for the men’s first major of the season, pundits fully expected that the year-to-year ratings would dip substantially.
Friday’s telecast earned a 1.8 U.S. household rating, averaging 2.5 million viewers, according to fast national data from Nielsen Media. Those numbers were favorable compared with Thursday’s 1.5 rating and average 2 million viewers.
For the two days of ESPN’s Masters telecasts, the sports network averaged a 1.6 U.S. household rating and 2.2 million viewers -- both numbers off from last year’s averages of 2.5 rating and 3.5 million viewers.
Ratings down first 2 rounds of @The_Masters on ESPN, from average of 3.5 million viewers last year to 2.2 million this year. #TigerEffect
— John Strege (@JohnStrege) April 12, 2014
If you EVER wanted 2C a Sunday #Masters live, this is the year. Tickets can be had for 2 rumpled Kleenex. No lines anywhere, even T-Bonz.
— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) April 12, 2014