CBS posts strongest Masters final-round viewership in 11 years as Rory McIlroy claims back-to-back titles.
CBS averaged nearly 14 million viewers for Sunday’s final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament, marking the highest-rated final round in more than a decade and matching the audience for Jordan Spieth’s 2015 victory.Rory McIlroy delivered the drama that drove the numbers, successfully defending his 2025 title with a final-round 71 to finish at 12-under par and win by one stroke over Scottie Scheffler.
The Northern Irishman became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2001-02 — and just the fourth in history — to win consecutive Masters green jackets.
Viewership peaked above 20 million during the closing holes, the largest single-moment audience for the Masters since 2013.
The strong ratings reflect renewed national interest in golf’s first major, fueled by McIlroy’s compelling repeat performance and a competitive leaderboard featuring top contenders. Despite some viewer criticism of CBS camera work on the 18th hole, the broadcast still delivered the biggest final-round audience since 2015.This marks an 8% increase from the previous year and underscores the Masters’ enduring appeal on CBS, even as streaming options continue to grow.