Golf Channel holed a couple of ratings records with its first day presentation of the Presidents Cup.
The network averaged a 1.2 household rating and 1.27 million watchers for its day one coverage on Nov. 16 from Melbourne, Australia, according to Nielsen. That delivery stands as the most-watched opening day in the history of the biennial event, which pits a team from the U.S. against a squad of top non-European players.
As such, Golf Channel, despite the 16-hour time differential between Melbourne and the east coast of the U.S., scored its highest-rated and most-watched primetime in its history, according to network officials.
Gauged against the last time the event was played overseas -- South Africa in 2003 -- Golf's coverage from Down Under was up 88%, and up 5% from the previous best day one coverage, San Francisco in 2009.
The ratings peaked at 1.5, when Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker teed off against a pairing featuring K.J. Choi and Adam Scott, who currently employs Woods's former caddie, Steve Williams. The Americans were routed 7 and 6.
"This record audience is a real testament to the growing popularity of the game of golf around the globe," said Golf Channel president Mike McCarley. "The fact that this U.S. television record was set from an event 16 hours away is an especially strong signal for the vitality of golf. We're hearing loud and clear from our passionate viewers that they love primetime golf."
Golf and NBCUniversal broadcast brethren NBC are combining on over 50 hours of Presidents Cup coverage.
