The highly anticipated PGA Championship is soon approaching, with all attention focused on Scottie Scheffler as he prepares to compete at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. With four out of his last five tournaments resulting in victory, Scheffler is widely regarded as the favourite to claim the trophy at this year’s major golf event. As the reigning Masters champion, Scheffler’s exceptional performance has established him as a formidable force in the golfing world, garnering significant attention.
Despite his impressive track record, Scheffler’s triumph at Augusta National, where he secured his second green jacket, did not attract the widespread mainstream interest one might have anticipated. The final round on Sunday was viewed by approximately 9.5 million people, marking a 20% decrease from the 12 million viewers who watched Jon Rahm’s triumphant comeback against Brooks Koepka in 2023. This has led media expert Michael McCarthy to question whether golf television is facing a “Scottie Scheffler problem.”
Following his victory at Augusta National, Scheffler secured another win the following week at Hilton Head Island, S.C. However, due to a rain delay, the final round drew only 2.15 million viewers, signifying a nearly 50% decrease from the previous year’s RBC Heritage tournament, where 4.15 million viewers witnessed Matthew Fitzpatrick defeat Jordan Spieth in a playoff. Scheffler has since taken a break to await the arrival of his first child and has not participated in any tournaments.
Amidst the decline in viewership, the question arises as to whether Scheffler is truly the reason for fewer people tuning in to golf broadcasts. According to sports media expert Lee Berke, the battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, rather than Scheffler’s dominance, is the primary factor contributing to the decrease in viewership. This perspective sheds light on the potential reasons behind the lower TV audiences for PGA Tour events this year. Despite this, the decrease in viewership at the Masters, where all top LIV players competed, remains unexplained.
Regarding Scheffler’s exceptional performance, some believe that his dominance may not necessarily be driving away viewers. In fact, ESPN golf host Scott Van Pelt suggests that people generally appreciate excellence and are constantly on the lookout for the next standout golfer, even if no one can truly emulate the iconic Tiger Woods.
Should Scheffler emerge victorious at the PGA Championship, he will become the first golfer since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win the first two majors of the year. This would place him halfway towards achieving the calendar grand slam, a feat that not even Tiger Woods managed to accomplish.
In conclusion, while Scheffler’s extraordinary success has sparked discussions about its impact on TV viewership, it is evident that the underlying reasons for the decline in golf broadcasts may be more complex than initially assumed. As the golfing world eagerly anticipates the upcoming PGA Championship, the outcome of the tournament may provide further insights into the ongoing dynamics of the sport.