Unsurprisingly, the PGA Championship saw a substantial ratings decline during Friday’s second round broadcast.
ESPN’s coverage, which aired from noon to 7 p.m. ET, averaged 1.3 million viewers on Friday, down 21% versus last year’s second round coverage that averaged 1.6 million viewers over the seven-hour window.
PGA Championship 2nd Round – Friday Viewership (Per Nielsen):
• 1.3 million viewers on ESPN from noon-7P
• -21% vs. last year’s 2nd Round, 1.6 million P2+
• a sleepy Friday of the PGA this year. Last year, much more buzz with Scottie’s arrest. https://t.co/BOFVoOsvXD
— @YeahClickClack (@YeahClickClack) May 19, 2025
Of course, last year’s PGA Championship coverage involved one of the more unique sports stories of the entire year with Scottie Scheffler’s early-morning arrest, and subsequent release from jail, prior to the top-ranked golfer teeing it up for his round. Not only was Scheffler’s arrest likely a big factor for the increased viewership, but Tiger Woods had an afternoon tee time as well, adding further intrigue to last year’s second round broadcast.
This year’s second round leaderboard also featured a hodgepodge of names that casual golf fans likely weren’t all that familiar with. It wasn’t until later in the weekend where Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau emerged as real contenders for the Wanamaker Trophy.
Viewership data for CBS’s weekend coverage of the third and final rounds will be available Tuesday morning.
