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The latest Masters TV ratings came with a twist. Here's why
TL;DR
Rory McIlroy's recent Masters win set record TV ratings, but the excitement felt different compared to last year. The crowd's reaction and the emotional weight of the victory were notably less intense this time.
Key points
- Rory McIlroy won the Masters again.
- The latest win set record TV ratings.
- Crowd reaction was excited but not euphoric.
- McIlroy's emotional response was less intense.
- Differences between the two victories were striking.
Rory McIlroyMasters
Another Rory McIlroy Masters win has brought another year of record TV ratings. But why did last yearâs win FEEL so much bigger?Getty Images
Comparison may be the thief of joy, but if you were lucky enough to wind up in the gallery on each of the last two Masters Sundays, it was only natural to spend a little while exploring the parallels.
On each of the last two Masters Sundays, Rory McIlroy stepped to the first tee cast at the center of the gravitational pull of golfâs largest event. On each of the last two Masters Sundays, he endured a final round that featured incredible highs and impressive disaster in equal parts. And, on each of the last two Masters Sundays, McIlroy emerged on the 18th green at the top of the pack, enjoyed an emotional walk to the scorerâs tent, cruised to Butler Cabin, and slipped his shoulders into a green jacket.
And yet, for all of their spine-tingling similarities, the differences between the two McIlroy wins were even more striking. The crowd on this Masters Sunday seemed excited but not totally euphoric. The winner on this Masters Sunday seemed emotional but not completely overcome. And the larger impact of the victory on this Masters Sunday seemed respectful but not quite earth-shattering.
In nearly all ways, this was perfectly understandable. Rory McIlroy can only end a decade-long epoch in pursuit of major glory once. He can only complete the career Grand Slam with a victory at one of the sportâs holiest sites, Augusta National, once. And he can only deliver a reaction of instant-iconography once.
But then, early last week, the TV ratings came out suggesting something entirely different. According to Nielsen, McIlroyâs 2026 Masters win outrated McIlroyâs 2025 Masters win by a significant margin, delivering 13.995 million average viewers, up eight percent from McIlroyâs win last year.
If youâre like me, you saw those numbers and paused. Nothing about McIlroyâs win time around suggested the numbers would have outperformed his win from last April, and nothing about the reaction to the victory in the days that followed suggested that TV audiences were salivating for more than theyâd gotten last April (when late-night TV spots, morning show hits, a crazed degree of social media fame were fairly standard fare).
Q&A
What were the TV ratings for the latest Masters tournament?
The latest Masters tournament achieved record TV ratings, reflecting significant viewer interest.
Why did Rory McIlroy's latest Masters win feel less exciting than last year?
Despite similarities in both wins, the crowd's reaction and McIlroy's emotional response were notably less intense this year.
How did the crowd react to Rory McIlroy's victory at the Masters?
The crowd appeared excited but not euphoric, indicating a more subdued atmosphere compared to previous years.
What are the key differences between McIlroy's two Masters victories?
The key differences include the crowd's energy, McIlroy's emotional state, and the overall impact of the victory, which felt less earth-shattering this year.
