As Expected, the 'Wooz Effect'... '53% Increase in Viewership for Comeback Match'

Hero World Challenge Average 617,000 Households
3R 1.03 Million, Highest Viewership Since 2019

As expected, it is the power of the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA).

The TV ratings for the PGA Tour's special event, the Hero World Challenge, where Woods returned to the field after 7 months, showed a significant increase. Sports Business Journal reported on the 6th (local time), "The average number of households watching the Hero World Challenge TV broadcast over four days last week reached 617,000." This is a 53% increase compared to last year when Woods did not participate.

Tiger Woods is teeing off on the 15th hole during the 4th round of the Hero World Challenge. [New Providence (Bahamas) = AFP·Yonhap News]

The number of viewing households was 497,000 during the 1st round, more than double compared to last year, reflecting the interest in Woods' first day back. During the 2nd round, 488,000 households watched, which is a 99% increase from last year. The 3rd round saw 1.03 million households tuning in, a 57% increase from last year and the highest rating since 2019. The final round also had 884,000 households fixed on the channel, a 31% increase from last year.

Sports Business Journal analyzed, "The RSM Classic, the last PGA Tour event of the year, averaged 120,000 households over four days," adding, "The Woods effect was tremendous." Woods withdrew midway through the Masters in April, then immediately underwent ankle surgery, and after rehabilitation, participated in the Hero World Challenge. Although he finished 18th out of 20 players, he completed all 72 holes in relatively good health, signaling his comeback.