The viewing figures for last week’s PGA Tour opener at The Sentry are in – and Jay Monahan and Co. should be concerned.
Hideki Matsuyama cruised to a record-breaking victory at Kapalua, finishing at 35 under, three shots clear of Collin Morikawa.
Watching the world’s elite players tear the Plantation Course to shreds was hardly the most compelling viewing, and changes must be made if The Sentry kicks off the season in 2025.
The apathy towards the tournament was also felt by those watching at home.
How many people watched Hideki Matsuyama win at The Sentry
As indicated by the viewing figures, The Sentry clearly didn’t appeal to fans watching on at home.
According to Ryan Ballengee, the ratings for Matsuyama‘s win were 416,000 on the Golf Channel window, down from 707,000 in 2024, when Chris Kirk won the season opener.
The 2025 ratings also declined from two years ago (603,000) when Jon Rahm claimed victory.
The Sentry viewing figures compared to TGL’s opening match
What’s more, the tech-infused TGL’s viewing figures were significantly higher than those of The Sentry.
According to analytics brand Zoomph, the TGL averaged 1.2 million viewers throughout the show. The opening night on ESPN was also viewed by 919,000 people, which was higher than expected.
With Tiger Woods in action next week and Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common GC playing at the end of January, the TGL’s figures are likely to increase.
| Fixture | Date |
| New York Golf Club vs The Bay Golf Club | January 8 |
| New York Golf Club vs Atlanta Drive GC | January 22 |
| Boston Common Golf vs Jupiter Links Golf Club | January 27 |
| Boston Common Golf vs Los Angeles Golf Club | February 5 |
| Atlanta Drive GC vs Los Angeles Golf Club | February 17 (6pm) |
| Atlanta Drive GC vs The Bay Golf Club | February 17 (9 pm) |
| The Bay Golf Club vs Boston Common Golf | February 18 |
| Jupiter Links Golf Club vs New York Golf Club | February 19 |
| Los Angeles Golf Club vs New York Golf Club | February 24 |
| Boston Common Golf vs Atlanta Drive GC | February 25 |
| The Bay Golf Club vs Jupiter Links Golf Club | February 26 |
| The Bay Golf Club vs Los Angeles Golf Club | March 3 |
| New York Golf Club vs Boston Common Golf | March 4 |
| Jupiter Links Golf Club vs Atlanta Drive | March 5 |
| Semi-final one | March 18 |
| Semi-final two | March 19 |
| Final | March 24/25/26 |
PGA Tour schedule should boost viewing figures
The PGA Tour has reason to be concerned. The product is clearly less appealing than it once was. However, there is hope.
Interest will likely increase with the upcoming PGA Tour schedule, which includes events at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach. Furthermore, once Scottie Scheffler returns from injury and Rory McIlroy starts his season, more fans will want to catch a piece of the action.
Nevertheless, it’s far from ideal news to greet Tour officials with the season less than two weeks old. The American Express takes place after the Sony Open before the AT&T Pro-Am at the end of the month.
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