Masters Sunday Draws Record Viewership As Underdog Claims Green Jacket
Masters Sunday Draws Record Viewership As Underdog Claims Green Jacket...
The 2026 Masters Tournament concluded Sunday with a historic finish as 28-year-old PGA Tour rookie Jake Thompson secured his first major victory at Augusta National. CBS Sports reported preliminary ratings showing the highest Sunday Masters viewership since 2018, with peak audiences during the dramatic three-hole playoff.
Thompson, ranked 89th in the world entering the tournament, overcame 54-hole leader Rory McIlroy in a back-nine duel featuring five lead changes. The final round drew particular attention after Saturday's weather delay pushed several contenders' third rounds into Sunday morning, creating unprecedented playoff scenarios.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed this year's tournament saw record merchandise sales and digital engagement. Masters.com reported 12 million unique live streams during Sunday's coverage, doubling 2025's numbers. The surge follows recent changes allowing limited commercial-free streaming of featured groups.
Social media erupted as Thompson sank his championship putt at 7:23 PM ET, with #MastersSunday trending nationwide. Golf analysts noted the tournament's timing - coinciding with warm spring weather across much of the U.S. - likely contributed to increased viewership as fans tuned in while enjoying outdoor activities.
The victory marks only the third time in Masters history that a first-time PGA Tour winner claimed the green jacket. Thompson's $3.24 million prize nearly triples his career earnings before this week. Tournament officials confirmed all Sunday tickets were resold above face value, with the cheapest grounds pass selling for $1,950 on secondary markets.
CBS will replay Sunday's final round coverage tonight at 8 PM ET across all time zones. The network's lead announcer Jim Nantz called it "the most unpredictable Masters finish in a generation" during the broadcast's closing moments. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is scheduled to address the tournament's impact on golf's growing popularity during a Monday press conference.
