Surprise Over Poor Masters Viewership

Surprise Over Poor Masters Viewership

PGA Tour star Matthew Fitzpatrick expressed surprise over the disappointing viewership figures from the 2024 Masters, attributing the decline to golf’s incessant focus on money matters. Despite a highly anticipated showdown featuring top players from both LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, the Masters saw its lowest ratings since the COVID-affected years of 2020 and 2021.

The final round of the tournament garnered only 9.59 million viewers on CBS, a significant drop from the previous year’s 12.06 million viewers when Jon Rahm secured the green jacket. Fitzpatrick, preparing to defend his title at the RBC Heritage, shared his insights on the matter, acknowledging the unexpected downturn in viewership.

“I am surprised by that, to be fair,” Fitzpatrick remarked, reflecting on the lackluster figures. “Obviously you’ve got everyone playing together, like everyone wants, and the viewership’s down. But, yeah, it’s bizarre. I think, for me, speaking to people at home and stuff, people are fed up with hearing about the money. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Fitzpatrick speculated that the constant chatter about financial aspects in golf, such as player earnings and prize funds, might have contributed to viewer fatigue. He also pondered whether the anticipated dominance of certain players, like Scottie Scheffler, led to a perception of a predictable outcome, diminishing viewer interest.

Regarding recent rumors surrounding Rory McIlroy’s potential move to LIV Golf for $850 million, Fitzpatrick maintained a humorous stance, quipping, “There’s been no rumors about me.” He emphasized his focus on playing in prestigious tournaments like the RBC Heritage and The Players Championship, steering clear of the ongoing discussions about the sport’s future direction.

While Fitzpatrick acknowledged discussions among various stakeholders, including the PGA Tour’s player advisory board and Commissioner Jay Monahan, he expressed cautious optimism after engaging with Andy Cohen from the SSG Group. Despite his reluctance to delve deeply into the intricacies of golf’s evolving landscape, Fitzpatrick remained hopeful for a positive outcome but preferred to concentrate on his game rather than getting entangled in administrative matters.