The PNC Championship has once again proven to be a ratings juggernaut, and it’s no surprise why! The event’s unique family-friendly format, which usually pairs golfing legends with their sons, is a winning formula that resonates with audiences worldwide. This year’s edition was no exception, with Tiger Woods and his son Charlie leading the pack on the final day and drawing in a massive crowd. Woods’ presence is always a guarantee of high viewership, and this year’s event was expected to pull in even higher numbers.

But what’s truly remarkable about the PNC Championship is its ability to outshine even the most high-profile events in the golfing world. Take, for example, The Showdown, which pitted PGA Tour superstars Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy against LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. Despite the hype surrounding this event, it ultimately fell short in terms of viewership, drawing in a mere 625,000 viewers across two networks (TNT and TBS). In contrast, the PNC Championship has consistently pulled in millions of viewers, with the 2021 edition averaging an impressive 2.34 million viewers on NBC.

The PNC Championship’s enduring popularity is a testament to the power of golf to bring people together. Whether you’re a die-hard golf fan or just tuning in to see Tiger Woods in action, this event has something for everyone. And with its unique format and commitment to showcasing the personal side of golf’s biggest stars, it’s no wonder that the PNC Championship continues to thrive. An example of that was seen at last year’s PNC Championship, where Tiger Woods’s presence worked wonders!

Tiger Woods’s charm is the real crowd-magnet

The PNC Championship was a huge hit in 2023, grabbing the attention of golf fans everywhere. It even beat out some PGA Tour events in popularity! So, the big question was: could the PNC Championship, with its fun family twist, get more viewers than the LPGA Tour? The LPGA Tour has made significant strides in recent years, with its peak viewership reaching 1.58 million viewers at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. This was the most-watched edition of the tournament since 2014, with the final round averaging 1.58 million viewers and peaking at 2.2 million.

However, when compared to the PNC Championship, the LPGA Tour’s numbers pale in comparison. The 2021 edition of the PNC Championship averaged 2.34 million viewers on NBC. The following day, the tournament managed to garner 2.24 million viewers. In 2022, the competition averaged 2.29 million viewers with high ratings.

The Tiger Woods effect on PNC Championship viewership is undeniable. His return to the Greens in 2021, after a long hiatus, tripled the viewership numbers from two years prior. The Woods team’s narrow loss by two strokes undoubtedly made for an entertaining and close round to watch.

In 2022, Woods’ participation again drew in massive viewership, averaging 2.29 million viewers. His comeback from a 7-month-long hiatus has set the stage for another highly anticipated appearance at the PNC Championship. With Woods and his son set to make another appearance, the network is likely to see another surge in viewership numbers.