More than 10 million viewers watched the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions over its four days of coverage on Golf Channel Jan. 6-9.
The 2011 tournament at Kapalua Resorts Plantation Course delivered the highest ratings and viewers since 2008. Overall the Hyundai Tournament of Champions drew a four-round average rating of 0.6 and an average of nearly 600,000 viewers per round, a 38 percent increase from last years event.
The first round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions was the most-watched opening round from Kapalua since at least 2007. In addition, ratings for the final round were up 50 percent and the highest since 2008 as Jonathan Byrd won in a sudden death playoff.
The strong Golf Channel TV ratings for the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions demonstrates the excitement and enthusiasm for the 2011 PGA TOUR Season, said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president, Sales, Hyundai Motor America. With this years thrilling playoff finish and the worlds top players wanting to start their season in Hawaii, we’re looking forward to building on this year’s success to make the Hyundai Tournament of Champions even more anticipated in the years to come.
With estimates of a 38 percent increase in television ratings, we couldnt be happier, and we look forward to building on our growing viewership next year with even more great golf, plus further entertainment enhancements in the kickoff period prior to the competition, said Nancy Cross, tournament director.
Tournament organizer and NBC-TV golf analyst Mark Rolfing said that the ratings increase, is great news, but its not a surprise.
Added Rolfing: I am extremely happy with these ratings. I would have been very disappointed had the ratings not gone up, given the amount of work that went into this championship. It was a major, major effort from really the beginning of December all the way through the end of the month. You saw way more promotion from the Golf Channel than they have ever done. The FedEx Cup kickoff activities, just doing something the week before and on the new Morning Drive show on Golf Channel and then everyday leading up, the support of Hyundai and Kapalua and the PGA TOUR, all of the things put together with a great tournament and a great finish added up to some great ratings.