|
|
| Thursday Jan 29, 2026 |
Was it the fact that a large swath of the United States was stuck inside due to the winter storm? Maybe it was Scottie Scheffler making his 2026 debut? Whatever the cause, Golf Channel’s coverage of last week’s The American Express drew massive numbers.
▪️ It ranked as the most-watched AmEx event since 2015 when Bill Haas won by a stroke over five players, and it more than doubled last year’s viewership when Sepp Straka held off a charging Justin Thomas.
▪️ Four-day coverage on Golf Channel averaged 515,000 viewers, according to official Nielsen Big Data + Panel. That was up 124% vs. last year’s coverage of the event.
and marking the most-watched edition of The American Express since 2015.
▪️ Sunday’s final round coverage, which went up against the NFL's Conference Championship games, averaged 617,000 viewers, up 127% vs. last year.
▪️ Golf Channel’s coverage of Rounds 1 and 2 also set viewership marks. Thursday’s coverage was up 29% vs. 2025; Friday’s coverage saw 35% gains from last year.
POLL
▪️ Would you decline a Masters invitation to turn professional? | Vote
▪️ Previous: Do you approve of how the PGA Tour handled Brooks Koepka's return? | Results
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
▪️ What is your ideal setting to watch golf — either remotely or in person? | Respond
▪️ Previous: In LPGA Tour commissioner Craig Kessler's first full season, what do you believe should be his main objectives? | Read
|
Say what you will about the five-time major champion, but the jump he made to LIV Golf in 2022 was right for him. And so is his PGA Tour return.
|
RECENT DROPS
🎧 CONTENT CLUBHOUSE
Patrick Koenig: One course at a time
Guest: Patrick Koenig, golf photographer, author and world record holder.
Listen | Archives
🎧 GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
Aaron Stewart carves out his own name in golf
Guest: Aaron Stewart, senior vice president of sports and marketing, Hilton Grand Vacations, and executive director, HGV Tournament of Champions.
Listen | Archives
| | |
| | |
▪️ New Augusta National-based rule targets slow play
[Alan Bastable | Golf.com | Read]
▪️ Patrick Reed is leaving LIV Golf. He can return to the PGA Tour in September
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]
▪️ LIV changes include more money for teams and 10 more spots to secure status
[Doug Ferguson | Associated Press | Read]
▪️ CBS bullish about the future of golf on network TV, even if PGA Tour's schedule is a big unknown
[Dave Shedloski | Golf Digest | Read]
PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open
Site: San Diego, California.
Courses: Torrey Pines South and North.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS); Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. (CBS).
LPGA Tour: Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions
Site: Orlando, Florida.
Course: Lake Nona Golf & Country Club.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 2:30-3 p.m. (Golf Channel app), 3-5:30 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1-2 p.m. (Peacock), 2-4 p.m. (NBC).
DP World Tour: Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
Site: Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain.
Course: Royal Golf Club.
Television [ET]: Thursday-Friday, 3:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 4-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Korn Ferry Tour: Panama Championship
Site: Panama City, Panama.
Course: Panama Golf Club.
Challenge Tour and Sunshine Tour: SDC Open
Site: Limpopo, South Africa.
Course: Zebula Golf Estate & Spa.
PGA Tour of Australasia: Webex Players Series-Murray River
Site: Barooga, Australia
Course: Cobram Barooga Golf Club.
FEBRUARY
2-5: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
17-21: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Anaheim, California | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
| | |
| | |
