Masters First-Round viewership numbers down 28% from 2024

While Thursday’s opening round of the 2025 Masters drew big viewership totals, the numbers were down compared to 2024. Much of the difference can likely be attributed to the absence of Tiger Woods. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports detailed the differences. “Without Woods in the field, ESPN’s coverage averaged 2.3 million viewers (including out-of-home viewers) Thursday,” McCarthy wrote. “That’s a 28% drop from the 3.2 million viewers for last year’s first round when Woods was in action. Just the presence of the five-time Green Jacket winner in 2024 produced the highest first-round viewership since 2015.” McCarthy also noted a