Overview
- CBS, which announced the figures Tuesday, said the Masters final round averaged 13.995 million viewers with a 20.049 million peak, the event’s strongest Sunday audience in 11 years.
- Viewers blasted CBS for missing key shots late, including losing track of McIlroy’s approach from the trees on 18 and failing to clearly show the winning putt dropping.
- McIlroy won by one stroke over Scottie Scheffler to become just the fourth player to claim back‑to‑back green jackets, securing the sixth major title of his career.
- McIlroy credited caddie Harry Diamond for a late Saturday range session to neutralize his ball flight, which he said steadied his swing and helped his Sunday finish.
- Questions about McIlroy’s pre‑tournament practice at Augusta persisted, but analysts such as Brandel Chamblee noted any qualified player can arrange early rounds, as McIlroy takes a short break and skips this week’s RBC Heritage before an expected return April 30 at Doral.