Tiger Woods is golf. When he’s on and playing a full slate, the sport receives an uptick in popularity we’ve rarely seen in the history of the PGA.
As Woods and his counterparts closed out the 2018 season in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Course in Georgia on Sunday, all eyes were on the former champ. Once Woods hit 18 with an opportunity to grab his first win in more than five years, the eyes of the sports world were on the green. It really was something to behold.
One day after Woods’ brilliant performance, we’re starting to fully understand Tiger’s impact on the game. According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the final round represented the best television ratings for the tourney in recorded history. It was also the most-watched tournament round of the season, excluding Majors.
JUST IN: Yesterday’s final round of the Tour Championship on NBC is the highest rated Tour Championship round on record (2000-2018) and the most watched tournament round, excluding Majors, in 2018. pic.twitter.com/pagzYs6lkZ
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 24, 2018
This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. When Woods was dominating the greens at the turn of the millennium, the PGA was at its most popular in modern history.
Now 42 years old, the 14-time Major champion turned in a brilliant 2018 season. And the common golf fan was back to witness it.