Equipment

Masters TV Ratings Fall 22% as Watson Wins in 2012

Published

14 years ago

Apr 9, 2012

GolfWRX

The final round of the Masters Tournament drew its worst preliminary television ratings since 2004 as Bubba Watson topped Louis Oosthuizen in a sudden-death playoff and Tiger Woods had his worst finish as a professional.

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Yesterday’s fourth round at Augusta National Golf Club was watched on CBS in an average of 8.1 percent of households in the top 56 U.S. television markets, Jerry Caraccioli, a spokesman for the CBS Corp. (CBS) (CBS) network, said in a telephone interview. That’s 22 percent lower than the 10.4 rating CBS drew a year ago, when Charl Schwartzel captured the title and Woods contended before faltering over the final nine holes.

Watson, 33, won on the second playoff hole after hooking an approach shot from out of the trees to 10 feet of the cup. That set up a two-putt par for the win after Louis Oosthuizen made bogey. It was Watson’s first major championship.

It was also the Easter holiday yesterday and television viewers who did tune in didn’t get a chance to see much of Woods, who began the day at 3-over par and shot a 2-over 74 to tie for 40th place. A 14-time major-tournament champion who hasn’t won a one of golf’s four biggest tournaments since the 2008 U.S. Open, Woods entered the tournament as the favorite after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 25.

Phil Mickelson, another fan favorite, did contend, finishing at 8-under — two strokes behind the leaders — to tie for third with Lee Westwood, Matt Kuchar and Peter Hanson. Mickelson had an even-par round that included a triple bogey.

Audience Breakdown
Full national ratings won’t be available until April 12. Mickelson’s win at the 2004 Masters drew a 7.3 national rating. The previous low before that was Bernhard Langer’s victory in 1993, which drew a 6.8 for the final round.

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4 Comments

Shankuu

Apr 24, 2012 at 4:38 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this years Masters. I don’t watch much when tiger’s in contention cause everything becomes the “tiger Show”. Congrats to Bubba and the hard right in the middle of the fairway!

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BF

Apr 9, 2012 at 11:03 pm

The internet coverge was wonderful. Not too yippy, yappy from the likes of Nance and the pompus brit Sir Nick. The first half hour I know I tuned out and back into the internet as the constant yammering of those two made me sick. I miss Frank in the trailer and Venturi in the booth. Ken knew when to shut up and let the cameras do the “talking”, and obviously Frank had his team doing what he directed them to do. I would much rather listen to a player discuss shot making process than Nick tell me how “he did it” or Nance just plain talking about absolutely nothing.
WAY TO MUCH NEEDLESS TALKING

Reply Report comment
Charlie

Apr 9, 2012 at 10:30 pm

I don’t give a damn what the ratings were. It was a TERRIFIC tournament. In fact, I’d say one of the best, in recent years.
Who cares if a bunch of non–golfers failed to tune in because their hero, Tiger Woods had a bad week?
The golf industry needs to promote other talent than Woods, in my opinion. Therein lies the answer. But if it doesn’t work? So what!

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Whats in the Bag

Brianna Do WITB (June 2026)

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

5-wood: Callaway Elyte (18 degrees)
Shaft: KBS PGW

Hybrids: Callaway Paradym (21 @22, 24, 27 degrees)
Shafts: KBS PGI 60

Irons: Callaway X Forged Star (7-PW)
Shafts: KBS PGI 75

Wedges: PXG Sugar Daddy III (50, 56, 60 10S)
Shafts: KBS

Putter: Odyssey Damascus Milled Rossie S Putter

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Whats in the Bag

Athena Singh WITB 2026 (June)

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (16 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 S

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (18 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6 S

Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi4D (25 Degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 7 S

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT Graphite 65 R

Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09SB, 56-08LB, 60-08LB)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT Graphite 75 S

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Equipment

What are the best golf socks? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

8 hours ago

Jun 8, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, not everything is about club selection and shaft options. A heated debate has bubbled up surrounding the best sock options players can wear on the course.

@CletePurcel asked:

“Just bought 2 new pairs of FootJoy shoes and trying to find out the most favorable socks to wear. I try to walk 9 holes two to three times a week and good socks are a must. Thanks in advance.

Members in the forum chimed in with their favorite footwear accessories. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

Maroon_19: “I’ve only worn Kentwool socks for golf for the last 8 years – regardless of weather. I walk 90% of my rounds and play anywhere from 50-75 rounds a year (going to go up as I just retired). They only get worn for golf. As long as you care for them, they’ll care for you. Have had zero blisters with them. I just started using my second set of 8 pair for our Bandon trip earlier this month. The old ones will now go into the daily wear rotation. Still good after all these years.”
smoova: “I’ve had good luck with Swiftwick. Walk every round 12 months a year in Colorado.”
Hawkeye77: “FJ Pro ProDry is what I’m usually wearing just because I have more of them, but I’ve got some Smartwool socks I love for the wool aspect – they sell them as running socks. The thicker socks are better for certain shoes. I’ve gone merino/other wool in almost all my socks – athletic, “dress” and so forth – no more “Orlon”, lol, some golf socks are the exception.”
th6252: “Another vote for Kentwool, honorable mentions to Balega and Falke(thanks to someone on this forum for turning me onto the RU3).”

Entire Thread: “Best golf socks???”

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