Tiger Woods on Tuesday announced that he would miss The Masters next week due to back surgery, and while it is "hard to estimate exactly how much of an effect it might have" on TV ratings, it is "unlikely that it won't have any effect," according to Luke Kerr-Dineen of GOLF DIGEST. The Masters' lowest rating, seen in '12, corresponded with Woods' "worst-ever professional finish (T-40) at the Augusta National -- something widely highlighted in the event's aftermath." When Woods "was back in contention in 2013, ratings spiked" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 4/1). BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK's Ira Boudway wrote CBS execs "must have hoped it was an April Fools' joke" when Woods made his announcement, as "history suggests the ratings will suffer without him." On average, ratings across the 19-year span of Woods' career at the Masters have increased 63% from "round three on Saturday to the final round on Sunday." In years when Woods is "within five strokes after Saturday, the average increase" is 69%. So with Woods "out from the beginning this time, CBS will likely be building from a subpar Saturday" (BUSINESSWEEK.com, 4/2).
