Scottie Scheffler secured his fourth Major title at the 2025 Open Championship on July 20 at Royal Portrush, attracting nearly 4 million viewers for NBC’s broadcast, according to Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal. Scheffler’s commanding four-stroke win not only edged him closer to a Career Grand Slam but also boosted golf viewership, sparking discussions among fans about his impact compared to Tiger Woods.
After leading following 36 holes, Scheffler maintained his dominance throughout the final rounds, drawing attention from both traditional broadcasts and streaming platforms. Carpenter noted that this audience was higher than the viewership for last year’s British Open, won by Xander Schauffele.
Public Reaction: Comparing Scheffler’s Influence to Tiger Woods
The increased viewership enabled by Scheffler’s performance prompted a wide range of reactions on social media. Some fans criticized the golfer or compared him unfavorably to Tiger Woods, while others praised Scheffler’s achievements and his role in growing golf’s audience.
“He will never be as big as Tiger”, a fan commented below the post.
—Fan
“All the Scottie haters must be livid knowing he’s the needle,” someone else commented on X.
—Social Media User
“numbers were double that 15 years ago”, another one wrote below in the comments.
—Commenter
“A blowout win from the best golfer on the planet continues the dominance in ratings from golf this year,” someone praised Scottie Scheffler in the comments.
—Supporter
“Apparently elite golf isn’t as boring as a small faction on here like to pretend,” someone commented below.
—Fan
How Scheffler’s Performance Improved PGA Championship Viewership Amid Declines
Earlier in the year, the PGA Championship struggled with lower viewership. Despite strong numbers during The Masters, the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Golf Club experienced diminishing audiences. ESPN reported 955,000 viewers for the first round, a 13% drop compared to the previous year, and the second round averaged 1.3 million viewers, down 19% from 2024.
The third round saw 3.11 million viewers, 12% fewer than last year, before Scheffler’s dominant final round performance. His five-stroke victory helped raise interest, contributing to a final round viewership of 4.76 million on CBS. Although still 4% below 2024’s final round numbers, this represented a 5% increase over the 2023 PGA Championship final round, narrowing the year-over-year decline.
The Significance of Scheffler’s Rising Popularity in Golf Viewership
Scottie Scheffler’s recent wins have had a noticeable effect on golf’s television ratings, especially amid trends showing fluctuating interest in Major events. While his presence has helped boost numbers in challenging viewership periods, many fans debate whether his influence matches that of Tiger Woods, whose legacy transformed the sport’s popularity worldwide.
As Scheffler continues to chase a Career Grand Slam, his ability to consistently draw large audiences may further shape future golf broadcasting trends. His performances will likely be watched closely by networks and sponsors looking to maintain golf’s position in highly competitive sports media markets.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What illness did Tiger Woods have?
A. In April 2023, Woods managed to qualify for The Masters, despite the chilly and rainy weather. However, before the last day, he withdrew, mentioning arthritis as the reason. Later, on social media, he shared that he had a subtalar fusion surgery. This was done to treat arthritis developed after a past talus bone fracture.
Q. What addiction did Tiger Woods have?
A. Following his well-known affairs in 2009, he spent six weeks at the Gentle Path center in Mississippi for sex addiction treatment. In 2010, he also attended The Meadows treatment center in Wickenburg, Arizona, to address his addiction to Vicodin and Ambien.
Q. What type of surgery did Tiger Woods have?
A. In September, Woods had surgery on his lower back to relieve pressure on a nerve. This was thought to be his sixth back surgery in ten years. He has previously suffered significant injuries to his Achilles tendon.