CBS' Masters Audience Down From '10, But Second Best In 10 Years

CBS averaged an 8.2 fast-national Nielsen rating and 12.8 million viewers for its weekend coverage of The Masters, down 8.9% and 7.5%, respectively, from a 9.0 rating and 13.8 million viewers last year. The two-day average, however, marks the second best weekend for The Masters over the last 10 years. Sunday's coverage of the final round earned a 9.5 fast-national rating and 15.3 million viewers, down 11.2% and 8.5%, respectively, from a 10.7 rating and 16.7 million viewers last year, but up 14.5% and 6.7%, respectively, from the final round in '09. Sunday's telecast also marks the third highest-rated and most-viewed final round for The Masters in 10 years. CBS' Saturday coverage earned a 6.5 fast-national rating and 9.5 million viewers, down 3.0% and 4.0%, respectively, from last year (Austin Karp, THE DAILY).

EYE ON THE BALL: On Long Island, Neil Best writes "no sport is more complex to chronicle" on TV than golf, and "never was that more true than Sunday, when CBS had to maintain a furious pace to keep up with shots from those on the busy Masters leader board." The network "did a fine job, helped by the limited commercial interruptions." CBS announcers were "so busy calling the action that they did not have time to enjoy the azaleas, which made it seem more like a sports event and less like the annual ode to Augusta" (NEWSDAY, 4/12). YAHOO SPORTS' Jonathan Wall wrote CBS golf producer Lance Barrow "nailed it on Sunday." If it "wasn't clear why he's one of the best in the business before this week, it's crystal clear now." Wall: "The broadcast of the final round was brilliant, as CBS gave us the sights, sounds and moments everyone was craving" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/11).

TIGER BAIT: In N.Y., Mark Cannizzaro writes "regardless of what you think" of Tiger Woods, "this much you cannot deny if you are clear of mind: The game of golf desperately needs him in contention and winning tournaments again." Sunday's final round of The Masters "provided the most tangible evidence of all." While Woods was "making a stirring front-nine charge into contention, the buzz around the place was palpable." Woods finished tied for fourth, and CBS' final-round TV ratings, while "lower than last year's, when Woods made his return to golf after his sex scandal, were the second highest in a decade." Still, Cannizzaro writes Woods' behavior during a post-round interview with CBS' Bill Macatee was "inexcusable, particularly for a man who begged the world for forgiveness and pledged to become a better person only a year ago" (N.Y. POST, 4/12).

DROPPED CALL: Augusta National yesterday confirmed that it "ejected Westwood One golf analyst Charlie Rymer during the first round of the Masters tournament Thursday for using a cell phone outside the media center." The club "forbids cell phones on the grounds." Augusta National Dir of Communications Steve Ethun said that Rymer "apologized and was admitted back Friday." The Masters also "kicked out other credentialed media members (as well as fans), for using cell phones," but Ethun declined to name them (USATODAY.com, 4/11).

WAS APOLOGY TO SULLIVAN ENOUGH? ESPN's Jackie MacMullan said she was glad Augusta National “apologized immediately” after Bergen Record columnist Tara Sullivan was denied entry into the locker room. MacMullan: “I'm going to let them off the hook on this one. But I got to tell you, it's wrong that this is happening.” Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw: "This was really just about one security guard making a mistake. She saw a woman going into a men's locker room. She thought, 'That must be wrong. I've got to stop her.' It was the wrong decision. ... I really don't think it has a lot to do with the Masters' policies.” But columnist Kevin Blackistone said, "It's not enough for an apology. They still need sensitivity training down at Augusta National" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 4/11).