NBC's broadcast of final round garners big ratings

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NEW YORK -- NBC Sports' final round coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational earned the best overnight rating for a golf event since the 2008 U.S. Open and the highest for any PGA TOUR event (excludes major championships) in more than two years (Jan. 28, 2007, Buick Invitational) according to Nielsen Media Research.

The 4.9 overnight rating and 10 share was the best for the final round of Bay Hill in seven years (2002 -- 5.7/11, Woods victory) and an increase of 23 percent over last year (4.0/9) which Woods also won with a birdie putt on the final hole.

The rating peaked at a 7.8/13 from 7:30-8 p.m. ET, as Tiger Woods secured the one-shot victory with a birdie putt on the 18th hole as the sun was setting. It was sixth Bay Hill title and first since last year's historic U.S. Open victory.

The Bay Hill rating outperformed two of last year's major championships: 48 percent higher than the final round of the British Open (3.3) and 75 percent greater than the final round of the PGA Championship (2.8).

Saturday's third round coverage on NBC delivered a 2.7/6, 17% higher than last year (2.3/6).

Top metered markets for Sunday's final round coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on NBC are as follows:

1. Fort Myers, 11.6/20
2. Orlando, 10.6/20
3. West Palm Beach, 8.8/15
4. Tampa, 7.6/15
5. Providence, 7.4/12
6. Buffalo, 7.1/13
7 Milwaukee, 6.9/13
T8. Minneapolis, 6.4/14
T8. Baltimore, 6.4/11
10. Cleveland, 6.1/11