Scottie Scheffler’s commanding performance at the 153rd Open Championship this year resulted in a surge in TV viewership across both the United States and the United Kingdom. Scheffler’s victory at Royal Portrush, where he secured his first Claret Jug and fourth Major title by a four-stroke margin, fueled unprecedented audience engagement for broadcasters covering the event.
During the final round on Sunday, Scheffler’s lead peaked at seven shots, effectively removing any uncertainty about the championship outcome well before the conclusion, yet TV viewership continued to climb steadily throughout the tournament.
Sky Sports Reports Record-Breaking Audience Figures in the UK
Sky Sports, the host broadcaster in the UK, reported its highest ever audience numbers covering The Open Championship. The total viewer hours reached 21.2 million over four days, marking a 36% increase from the previous year. Every round set a new record for average audience size on Sky Sports, with notable growth in both average and peak viewership compared to 2024.
On Thursday, an average of 338,000 viewers tuned in, rising sharply to 572,000 for the first round—a 49% increase year-over-year. The second round averaged 378,000 viewers with a peak of 622,000. The weekend saw a dramatic rise, with the third round averaging nearly 600,000 viewers and peaking at 851,000.
The final round attracted an average of 681,000 viewers, which was 41% higher than the same stage in 2024, while the audience reached its highest peak of 1.14 million, surpassing the previous year’s final-day figures during Xander Schauffele’s championship win.
A Sky Sports spokesperson said:
“These record-breaking figures highlight Sky’s continued investment in delivering world-class golf coverage, combining cutting-edge innovation, expert analysis, and compelling storytelling to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.”
—Sky Sports spokesperson
Detailed Breakdown of UK Viewership Across Tournament Rounds
Sky Sports reported the following average and peak audiences along with their year-over-year increases:
Round 1: Average 338,000 (+39%), Peak 572,000 (+49%)
Round 2: Average 378,000 (+38%), Peak 622,000 (+26%)
Round 3: Average 590,000 (+32%), Peak 851,000 (+16%)
Round 4: Average 681,000 (+41%), Peak 1.14 million (+19%)
US Broadcasts See Significant Audience Increase at The Open
The increase in TV viewership extended beyond the UK, as NBC Sports in the US recorded its largest audience for The Open Championship since 2022, when the event was held at St Andrews in Scotland. The final round drew 4.1 million viewers across both traditional TV and streaming platforms, representing a 21% increase from last year’s comparable men’s Major final, which attracted 3.39 million viewers.
Viewer numbers peaked at just over 6.1 million during the 1:30pm to 1:45pm ET segment of the final round—highlighting peak interest as Scheffler sealed his win. Including Saturday’s third round, an average of 3.6 million viewers tuned in to NBC and Peacock coverage, marking a 24% rise from 2024.
Despite these positive trends, NBC’s overall ratings for The Open were still about a third lower than those for the US Open held in June. The US Open’s final round, impacted by a weather delay, drew 9.1 million viewers at peak and averaged 5.4 million viewers, although this was the lowest final-day audience for that event since 2020, when Bryson DeChambeau won.
Broad Impact on PGA Tour Viewership Trends
The growth in TV audiences for The Open fits into a wider pattern of increasing viewer interest in professional golf this season. The PGA Tour experienced a general rise in ratings throughout the year, especially for its major signature events. Final rounds of the eight biggest tournaments in 2025 showed a combined increase of just over 10% compared to 2024.
Some events delivered particularly strong viewership gains, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which rose 47% from the previous year (noting that the 2024 final round was canceled), the Travelers Championship up 35%, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a 22% increase.
What This Means for Golf Broadcasting and Future Tournaments
The clear boost in TV viewership linked to Scottie Scheffler’s success highlights the significant audience appeal generated by a dominant player in the sport. Broadcasters like Sky Sports and NBC benefit from combining high-quality live coverage with advanced technologies and expert commentary to maintain and grow fan engagement.
With the continued rising interest in golf events across key markets, expectations for future tournaments include sustained, if not growing, TV audiences. This trend underscores the importance of star players and the excitement they bring to the game in attracting viewers worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Scottie Scheffler upset about?
A. The PGA of America chose not to permit “preferred lies,” which means players must play the ball from where it lands. Scheffler was upset with this choice, stating that mud on the ball adds an unpredictable element.
Q. What did Scottie Scheffler do illegally?
A. The top-ranked golfer tried to reach Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky at about 6 a.m. However, police stated he unlawfully bypassed an accident scene where a pedestrian had died.