Tiger Woods thrilled golf fans worldwide by taking the lead at one point during the final round of the British Open. Although Woods ultimately fell short against Francesco Molinari of Italy, he helped drive NBC Sports to the best Open Champion overnight ratings in 18 years.
NBC's final round coverage from Carnoustie golf links in Scotland earned a 5.0 overnight rating. That tied for the highest-rated final overnight since Woods completed the career grand slam at the Old Course in St. Andrews in 2000 (7.4 on ABC) and his win at Royal Birkdale in 2006 (5.0 on ABC).
The words used to describe Tiger Woods leading at #TheOpen were improbable, inconceivable and impossible...then Sunday happened. @RyanLavnerGC : https://t.co/AvvrA83rhG pic.twitter.com/Apz0JGBk6p
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 23, 2018
MORE: What's next on Tiger Woods' PGA Tour schedule
With the 14-time manor winner making a weekend charge, NBC's overall coverage was up 38 percent vs. Jordan Spieth's victory at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Sunday's action marked the highest-rated final round for any major tournament (excluding the Masters) since Jason Day won the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2015.
Streaming rose 67 percent to 33.9 million minutes on Sunday. With 125 million total minutes streamed, it was most-streamed golf event ever for NBC Sports.
"We're thrilled with this Sunday's tremendous display of drama from the greatest golfers in the world," Mike McCarley, president of golf for NBC Sports, said in a statement. "It was a great day for golf."
Besides Woods, there was plenty to like about NBC's coverage. Lead analyst Johnny Miller was blunt, outspoken and colorful as usual. He marveled at the "amazing" swing speed exhibited by the 42-year-old Woods despite his multiple back and knee surgeries. His rebound with the wedge was Greg Norman-like, Miller said.
"Is this the year 2000?" asked Dan Hicks, Miller's partner. "It's the the kind of speed and the kind of stuff that became routine."
But NBC's on-air team rightly questioned Woods' decision to try a risky flop shot around the green on No. 11. That led to a double-bogey. He never recovered.
I loved NBC's popular "Playing Through" split screen commercial format, where TV viewers saw ads on one side of the screen and live action on the other. The format enabled NBC producers to telecast an extra 181 life golf shots. I also liked NBC's touching scenes of Woods hugging his two young kids after finishing in a three-way tie for third place.
Tiger Woods, 'mythical creature'? 🦄
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 23, 2018
Quotes of #TheOpen Week: https://t.co/FTYtw2SnBA pic.twitter.com/d5YypytuPW
NBC frustrated me, however, with its infrequent use of the Leader Board. Too often I wondered where everybody was on the board. That could have easily been fixed by a rolling ticker at the bottom of the screen.
Still, this was the first time in years that Tiger was on the prowl at a major. All the golf TV networks have been praying for his return to competitive form, especially during the four major. Kudos to NBC for a nice job covering his comeback.
