Golf’s viewership rebounds as McIlroy wins the Masters

The 2025 Masters Tournament delivered a significant ratings boost for CBS Sports, with the final round averaging 12.71 million viewers—a 33% increase over 2024 and the highest for a golf broadcast since 2018.

McIlroy wins the ratings: Viewership peaked at 19.54 million during the 7:00–7:15 p.m. ET window, coinciding with Rory McIlroy’s dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose, completing his career Grand Slam. This surge marks a sharp rebound from last year’s final round, which drew 9.59 million viewers—a 20% year-over-year decline and the lowest since 1993, excluding pandemic years.

Streaming milestone: McIlroy’s win not only captivated traditional audiences but also drove record-breaking streaming numbers. The final round became the most-streamed golf event in Paramount+ history, contributing to the platform’s largest non-NFL sports day ever.

Much to play for: This uptick in eyeballs attracted to a major golf event—in large part due to the thrilling nature of the sudden-death playoff—comes amid ongoing discussions about the sport’s future, including stalled merger talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

CBS Sports Masters 2025 Viewership Boost: McIlroy Win Drives Ratings & Streaming Records

The 2025 Masters Tournament marked a major rebound in golf broadcasting, delivering a final round average of 12.71 million viewers — a 33% year-over-year increase and the highest audience for a golf broadcast since 2018.

This growth signals a potential resurgence in interest for live golf events, particularly when they feature high-stakes finishes and star athletes.

2025 Masters Ratings Surge: Golf Broadcast Sees Highest Viewership Since 2018

Viewership hit a peak of 19.54 million between 7:00–7:15 p.m. ET, aligning perfectly with Rory McIlroy’s dramatic playoff win over Justin Rose — a moment that completed his career Grand Slam and became an instant classic.

This massive spike represents a dramatic reversal from 2024, when the final round averaged just 9.59 million viewers — a 20% year-over-year drop and the lowest final-round rating since 1993, excluding pandemic-affected years.

Rory McIlroy’s Playoff Win Drives Massive Ratings Spike

Beyond traditional TV, McIlroy’s historic win also drove unprecedented digital engagement. The final round became the most-streamed golf event in Paramount+ history, marking a milestone for live sports streaming on the platform.

It also contributed to Paramount+’s largest non-NFL sports day ever, reinforcing the growing importance of streaming platforms in delivering major golf coverage to modern audiences.

Record Streaming Numbers: Paramount+ Hits New Sports Milestone

This renewed viewer interest — fueled by the excitement of a sudden-death playoff and a once-in-a-career moment for Rory McIlroy — arrives at a pivotal time for professional golf.

Ongoing discussions around the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger remain unresolved, with stakeholders hoping that moments like this can help unify the sport and attract new fans across both broadcast and streaming platforms.