AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A playoff in the first major championship of the year yielded big numbers for CBS.
Adam Scott's victory over Angel Cabrera helped provide a 26 percent boost in overnight ratings for the Masters on CBS.
The final round Sunday went two extra holes before Scott made a birdie to beat Cabrera for his first major title.
According to Nielsen on Monday, the round drew an average household rating/share of 10.2/21, up 26 percent from last year's 8.1/19. Sunday's round peaked with a 13.4/25 from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT.
The third round also scored higher ratings, up 24 percent, and peaked with a 7.2/17 from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned to a program. Shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- As much as things stay the the same around Augusta National, there will be a few new wrinkles added to this year’s coverage of the Masters on CBS.
One of the biggest changes is that wireless frequency cameras will follow the leaders from the practice range to the first tee, a first for the tournament.
“(It’s something) we tested here a few months ago,” CBS golf coordinating producer Lance Barrow said in a conference call on Monday. “One or two of them around mostly on the practice facility and walking around with the leaders as they go to the tee.”
There will also be an additional camera at the 15th green to “get a better grip on the ball going into the water right by the bunker,” Barrow added.
At 365 acres, Augusta National presents its challenges from a coverage standpoint, which is why CBS spends 12 months a year planning the logistics.
“It’s as big, if not bigger, than the Super Bowl,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s all in the planning.”
CBS’ coverage will take place Saturday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. with final-round coverage scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. ESPN will air Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest and the first two rounds of the tournament from 3-7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
CBS’ coverage will be lead by host Jim Nantz with lead analyst and three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo joining him in the booth at the 18th green.
Peter Oosterhuis will be at the 17th hole, Verne Lundquist at the 16th and David Feherty at the 15th.
“I think about it every single day of the year,” said Nantz, who on Monday night called the championship game of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament from New Orleans. “And if it’s not something that’s on my mind, someone is going to remind me about the Masters everywhere I go. Every single day I hear about it. I consider that a great honor that people actually associate me with this golf tournament.”
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The World Golf Hall of Fame announced that Jim Nantz, Johann Rupert and Bob Goalby will be presenters at this year’s induction ceremony for the Class of 2011. NBC’s Dan Hicks, meanwhile, will serve as host of the annual induction ceremony on May 9.
Nantz, the play-by-play anchor of CBS's golf coverage, will be presenting former President George H.W. Bush. Nantz is a close friend of the Bush family. The former President is unable to attend the ceremony and will accept his induction in a pre-recorded video address.
It will be a busy night for Nantz, who will also present 2011 inductee Frank Chirkinian. Nantz got his start at CBS under the tutelage of Chirkinian, who became a mentor to him.
Ernie Els will be presented by his South African compatriot Rupert. As a long-time supporter and now current chairman of South Africa’s Sunshine Tour, Rupert has been able to watch Els rise from a star junior player to success on the world stage.
Bob Goalby, winner of 11 PGA TOUR events including the 1968 Masters, will be on hand to present fellow Masters champion Doug Ford.
Rounding out the Class of 2011, Jumbo Ozaki will remain in his native Japan for the ceremony. He and the late Jock Hutchison will be celebrated with video tributes.
“It is a privilege to have presenters and a host of this caliber at the 2011 induction ceremony,” said Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. “We are eager to welcome the Class of 2011 to the World Golf Hall of Fame family. The induction ceremony is a signature event on golf’s world calendar and we’re very much looking forward to our new date and kicking off a great week of golf and THE PLAYERS Championship.”
The 2011 induction ceremony will be held at the St. Johns County Convention Center, located adjacent to the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village. The post-event gala will be inside the Hall of Fame.
Overnight packages and Ceremony & Gala tickets are available now. A limited number of complimentary general admission tickets to the induction ceremony only will be available to the public (two per person) beginning April 1 while supplies last. For tickets and more information about the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, please visit WorldGolfHallofFame.org.