Woods being in contention Sunday could lead to a TV ratings increase for CBSGETTY IMAGES
The Masters began today, and "much of the buzz being generated" around the tournament is coming from Tiger Woods, who is "closer to qualifying" for the PGA Tour Champions than his last victory at Augusta in '05, according to Steve Keating of REUTERS. Nothing gets sports fans "revved up more than a compelling comeback story and Woods is writing one for the ages." Woods’ once-injured back now "appears to be strong enough to carry the hopes of an entire industry that is experiencing a ‘Tiger Bump.’" NBC/Golf Channel have seen ratings increases with Woods' presence, and the golf industry has "also seen a spike." Bridgestone said that when Woods (a Bridgestone ambassador) has been in the field in '18, the "average basket value with Bridgestone products increased" by over 120% compared with the same period in '17. Bridgestone Golf President & CEO Angel Ilagan said, “During Tiger’s absence the entire industry, the PGA Tour, we were all kind of looking who is the next player. Then when Tiger came back the entire industry is jumping on the Tiger bandwagon” (REUTERS, 4/2). THE GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly wrote seeing Woods "smiling again on a Sunday at Augusta would ring up TV ratings like a slots hit" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/3).
GUESS WHO'S BACK? The AP's Doug Ferguson wrote any talk about this being "one of the most anticipated Masters in years starts with one player. ... Woods" (AP, 4/2). USA TODAY's Steve DiMeglio wrote since his arrival back on the golf scene, Woods and "his aura and his return to the game has been the only narrative grabbing headlines" (USATODAY.com, 4/4). In Chicago, Barry Rozner wrote, "When you throw a healthy Tiger Woods back into the bowl for the first time in five years, you have the ingredients for something spectacular" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 4/3). There is a "buzz among the patrons" at Augusta National, and they "flocked a dozen deep or more Tuesday" as Woods played a practice round with Phil Mickelson. There also is a "buzz among the media" and "even a buzz among the players" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 4/4). Woods’ return has “overshadowed all else.” That “takes some doing” because so many golfers in The Masters are at the “top of their games” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4/4). Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Jon Rahm are “all but forgotten” with Woods in the picture (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/1). The Masters is now “officially an event devoted exclusively” to Woods, with a “bunch of other great golfers serving as props.” It is “just like old times, when Woods ruled the world” (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 4/4).
AN ATTRACTION LIKE NO OTHER: In Atlanta, Jeff Schultz wrote every sport “has its stars” and every star has their “legion of fans.” But the “extent to which Woods still moves the meter is astounding” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/3). ESPN.com's Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote Woods is "still the magnet we cannot help but feel drawn to." How many people "would jump at one more chance" to "see Prince or Tom Petty play music?" Woods is the "sports equivalent" (ESPN.com, 4/2). In Winnipeg, Paul Wiecek wrote golf "needs Woods as desperately as Woods needs golf, and so even the tiniest flicker of life in his game the last couple months" has the entire sport "hyperventilating at the idea that Tiger and, therefore, golf generally, is finally back" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 4/3). In Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan wrote, "In recent years, I've accepted his absence and said golf was fine without him." But Woods "lifted the sport to new heights in his prime, and it's much more interesting when he's in the hunt" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/1).
