“We’re incredibly lucky to have many passionate people tuning in to watch us every week, but let’s be honest – this game can feel a little distant at times.” This is what PGA Tour Pro Justin Thomas had written in his memo, highlighting the need for golfers to connect more with fans and make the sport more accessible. Thomas suggested that players should participate in more mid-round interviews and engage with fans on social media to bridge the gap. However, his comments were met with skepticism by some, including veteran golf reporter Michael Bamberger, who argued that golf’s traditional appeal lies in its competitive purity.
Nevertheless, it appears that Thomas’s call to action has resonated with some, and well, it seems like a fellow PGA Tour star has proved him wrong with what he did recently. According to the latest tweet by Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter, the viewership numbers for the Players Championship on NBC are in: 3.6 million tuned in on Sunday, up from 3.5 million for last year’s final round.
The peak audience at 7 pm reached 6.2 million, a slight increase from 6 million last year. “Ratings! Players Championship on Sunday on NBC: 3.6M, up from 3.5M for last year’s final round. Prior two years: 4.1M (Scheffler) and 2.9M (weather, Smith) Peak audience for Sunday was at 7pm: 6.2M, up from 6M last year”, read the tweet.
The weekend average viewership was just over 3 million. While these numbers may not be a significant departure from previous years, they do suggest a steady interest in the sport. And we can’t overlook the one factor that contributed to the respectable ratings was the thrilling performance by Rory McIlroy, who ultimately took home the title with a whopping $4.5 million prize money.
Ratings! Players Championship on Sunday on NBC: 3.6M, up from 3.5M for last year’s final round.
Prior two years: 4.1M (Scheffler) and 2.9M (weather, Smith)
Peak audience for Sunday was at 7pm: 6.2M, up from 6M last year.
Weekend average just over 3M pic.twitter.com/V8mlYCXoeG
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) March 18, 2025
But do you know about the bizarre fan moment McIlroy had on the greens? We mean, it really was weird but you be the judge.
Rory McIlroy’s confrontation with a heckler
During a practice round at the Players Championship, Rory McIlroy was heckled by a fan, Luke Potter, who referenced his devastating 2011 Masters meltdown. The comment clearly struck a nerve, prompting McIlroy to confront Potter, take his teammate’s phone, and walk away. Opinions on McIlroy’s reaction were divided, with some defending his response as justified and others criticizing him for not rising above the provocation.
In a remarkably candid interview on Friday, McIlroy shared his thought process, saying, “I don’t think there’s a way to forget about your mistakes… I guess I just try to visualize and focus on what you want to do instead of thinking about what you don’t want to do or what you’ve done before.” This rare glimpse into McIlroy’s mindset humanized him, revealing a vulnerability and willingness to confront his flaws. The incident raised questions about McIlroy’s ability to cope with similar situations in the future, with one golf analyst noting that his capacity to bounce back from adversity would be crucial in his pursuit of future titles. McIlroy’s response to this challenge was emphatic, as he went on to win the Players Championship in impressive fashion, demonstrating his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The post Justin Thomas Proven Wrong as Rory McIlroy’s $4.5 Million Win Resolves PGA Tour’s Biggest Headache appeared first on EssentiallySports.
