Has Tiger had the greatest impact on golf, ever?
USAToday has a fascinating article imagining golf without Tiger. Here are some amazing stats compiled by Jim Halley of USAToday:
Purses: There were nine PGA Tour millionaires in 1996. Last year, there were 78. From 1986-’96, the total purse on the PGA Tour increased $37.5 million. In the Woods’ decade, the 10 years since, the purses have jumped $186.1 million.
Ratings: Sean McManus, President of CBS News and Sports, says Woods has had a direct effect on the growth of golf on TV, with ratings spiking 35% to 50% for regular tour events and major championships when Woods is in contention. Last weekend The International, minus Woods, drew a 2.1 rating. A few weeks earlier, the Buick Open, which Woods won, drew a 4.3 rating.
Marketing: * * * According to a 2004 study at Indiana University, before Woods’ professional golf debut in ’96, a typical annual increase in new golfers was 1%. The ”Tiger Woods Effect” lifted it to 5%. The percentage of African-American golfers has doubled since ’96, the study said.
Read the article for more.
Tweet