The final round of the 2026 Masters provided golf fans with an epic viewing experience as Rory McIlroy won his second green jacket in consecutive years.
But this eventful PGA Tour event certainly resulted in an epic final 18 holes with plenty of lead changes. Golf’s first major of the season also drew huge viewership, pleasing Augusta’s television partners.
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CBS’ broadcast of the final round of the Masters averaged about 14 million fans watching the event. Meanwhile, the peak audience for Sunday’s broadcast exceeded 20 million viewers, the highest since 2013.
This year’s final round of the Masters was watched by an average of 14 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched final round in the past 11 years.
Sunday’s viewership also peaked at 20 million viewers, the highest TV peak for the Masters since 2013. pic.twitter.com/Nh8t4ipemE
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 14, 2026
There was some major drama in the final few holes at the 2026 Masters as McIlroy battled for his second win on this course. American star Scottie Scheffler attempted a birdie on the 17th hole, but fell just short of the cup, finishing in second place.
Scheffler made Masters history by finishing the weekend with no bogies. The five-time major champion becomes the first player in more than 84 years to accomplish that legendary feat.
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CBS benefits from iconic Masters final 18 holes
Meanwhile, Augusta provided important storylines throughout the weekend that excited golf fans. The Masters Par 3 contest featured big names like Kevin Hart and Jason Kelsey.
In the main tournament, McIlroy jumped out to a massive six-stroke lead after the opening two rounds. The Northern Irishman advanced, marking the largest 36-hole advantage in the tournament’s history.
Read more: Sergio Garcia apologizes for verbal abuse at Masters at Augusta
Six players were able to finish the weekend at the top of the leaderboard within two strokes of each other. That certainly played into the incredible TV numbers that CBS boasted on the final day of the tournament.
Total viewership for the final round is also a big plus for the PGA Tour heading into the rest of the major calendar. The PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship will feature major names competing for their respective titles.
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Meanwhile, McIlroy, Scheffler and other big names continue to be favorites to win the event, which is a big reason why fans continue to watch golf tournaments.
