Tiger Woods WD contributes to dip in Genesis Invitational viewers
Tiger Woods' disappointing withdrawal contributed to a minor dip in final-round viewers at the Genesis Invitational.
It was supposed to be the week that Tiger Woods announced himself back on the PGA Tour scene in his new Sun Day Red apparel with all systems go for The Masters in some 50 days time.
But ultimately it ended up leading to another lethargic withdrawal.
Woods' third WD in his last five PGA Tour events also contributed significantly to a small dip in final-round viewing figures where the Genesis Invitational was concerned.
The 15-time major champion was forced to bow out of the tournament his Tiger Woods Foundation was hosting at famed Riviera midway through the second round on Friday.
Woods was wheeled off in a cart to the clubhouse and despite paramedics rushing to the scene the former World No.1 confirmed he had been suffering from a fever.
Thankfully for ardent Woods fans the WD was not down to any back or ankle injuries.
Woods was making his first official start on the PGA Tour in 10 months having spent time on the sidelines to recover from ankle surgery following last year's Masters.
Tiger Woods WD leads to dip in Y-O-Y final-round viewers at the Genesis
According to Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter, the final round of the Genesis Invitational on Sunday night drew 3.245m viewers on CBS.
With Woods not in the picture, or even in the commentary box or able to present the trophy to eventual winner Hideki Matsuyama, the total was 5% down on the final round of the 2023 Genesis Invitational.
Woods was able to participate in the final round of the tournament last year and he went on to finish T45, while Jon Rahm went on to win the event.
Final round of the Genesis Invitational on CBS draws 3.245M viewers on Sunday.
That's down 5% from last year (3.424M) for Jon Rahm's win.
Two years ago: 2.618M pic.twitter.com/Rk3NqlfKRz
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) February 21, 2024
Pleasinginly for the PGA Tour, however, the final round of this year's Genesis was way up on the final round from 2022, which drew 2.618m viewers.
The update on PGA Tour viewing figures comes two weeks after the circuit was seen once again trouncing the viewers on the LIV Golf League.
