LIV Golf struggles with TV ratings as PGA Tour | Golf News

The Waste Management Phoenix Open triumphed over LIV Golf’s occasion in Saudi Arabia, with a notable spike in viewership for the PGA Tour occasion.

Despite competing with the colossal Super Bowl LIX, which featured a headline duel between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, the golf match swung to success. CBS boasted a hefty 2.9 million viewers tuning in for the conclusion of the Phoenix Open, witnessing Thomas Detry’s commanding seven-stroke win.

The surge interprets to an spectacular gain of half a million more viewers in comparison with final 12 months, when NBC aired Nick Taylor’s victory on the identical occasion. Golf followers have been glued as Detry performed an distinctive six-under last spherical, outperforming Michael Kim and Daniel Berger for his inaugural PGA Tour crown. The Belgian golfer, 32, punctuated his triumph with 4 consecutive birdies.

Marking his first style of skilled success since clinching the World Cup of Golf with Thomas Pieters in 2018, Detry was overjoyed, expressing: “I’ve given myself plenty of chances in the past but never been able to conclude. I’m just so happy.”

In stark distinction, the extremely publicized LIV Golf confronted a tough lie during its 2025 season debut. FOX Sports’ initial broadcast of the contentious league’s opening act in Riyadh solely managed to captivate a humble average of 12,000 viewers.

This tepid response got here regardless of the low season buzz generated by management adjustments, together with appointing ex-NBA government Scott O’Neil as the new CEO after Greg Norman’s exit, and securing a recent broadcasting deal with FOX Sports. The subpar efficiency could possibly be signaling tough terrain forward for the rebel LIV Golf.

In a main blow to LIV Golf, the PGA Tour drew bigger audiences regardless of airing on the identical time as the Super Bowl. LIV Golf’s attempt to accommodate American viewers by rescheduling its occasion in Riyadh to an earlier time slot did not generate important curiosity, with solely an average of 12,000 viewers tuning in to FOX Sports 2, in accordance with Nielsen.

Jon Rahm makes his emotions clear

Although the breakaway circuit’s partnership with FOX Sports has gotten off to a rocky begin, there may be nonetheless hope for enchancment. It’s price noting that viewership numbers have been declining throughout all tours lately, together with the PGA Tour, which made their sudden surge in Phoenix all of the more exceptional.

On a constructive be aware, LIV Golf’s high gamers are thrilled in regards to the circuit’s partnership with FOX Sports. Jon Rahm expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “This partnership is a huge step forward for LIV Golf and our fans as it will help bring our tournaments to a broader audience. FOX Sports has a reputation for delivering world-class sports coverage and I’m confident they will elevate the experience for everyone watching.

“I imagine FOX Sports shares our dedication to pushing boundaries and innovating, and I am unable to wait to see how this collaboration connects more followers to our sport.”