In December, the golf calendar introduces a trio of unconventional tournaments: the Crypto.com Showdown, the Grant Thornton Invitational, and the PNC Championship. These events deviate from traditional formats, aiming to captivate audiences during a period dominated by other major sports, notably the NFL. The central question remains: Do these tournaments resonate with golf enthusiasts, and do they attract significant viewership?
Crypto.com Showdown: Innovation Meets Critique
The most notable alternate format tournament this year was The Crypto.com Showdown, featuring a high-stakes competition between PGA Tour stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler against LIV Golf representatives Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. The event boasted a $10 million prize pool, awarded in cryptocurrency, underscoring the sport’s venture into modern financial territories.
The tournament was billed as a much-anticipated PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf. After three years of competing tours and pundits that took sides supporting each tour, this was the first time the stars from each side would compete head-to-head. Perhaps many saw this as a precursor to a larger team match of LIV vs. PGA in the future after the tours make an agreement.
Despite the star-studded lineup and substantial prize, the event got off to a horrible start. John Bon Jovi has a famous quote:
“Don’t bore us… get to the chorus”
And the production of The Showdown was extremely boring. The broadcast kicked off at 3:00pm and there wasn’t a golf shot until 3:22. Literally 22 minutes of a boring pundit roundtable, multiple commercials and a coin flip. Really… a coin flip. That broadcast should have had a golf shot within the first minute period. There’s plenty of time to hear commentary between shots
The 3:00pm start time also makes zero sense. I get they are trying to maximize betting and viewership but this event should run 11:00am – 4:00pm PST and then the broadcast team should run a condensed version at 6 or 7pm that evening. Perhaps a 1 hour condensed replay.
While specific viewership numbers are pending release, the event’s scheduling in mid-December on a Tuesday afternoon, already has a formidable challenge for capturing a broad audience. The overlap with the NFL’s regular season likely impacted the tournament’s ability to draw significant viewership, as football traditionally commands substantial attention during the weekends.
Grant Thornton Invitational: A Collaborative Showcase
The Grant Thornton Invitational, showcased mixed teams comprising PGA and LPGA professionals. The duo of Jake Knapp and Patty Tavatanakit emerged victorious, sharing a $1 million prize. 
This event aimed to promote inclusivity and collaboration between the men’s and women’s tours, offering a fresh dynamic to the sport. However, detailed viewership statistics remain undisclosed, making it challenging to assess the tournament’s reach and impact accurately. The lack of available data leaves questions about the event’s resonance with the golfing community and its effectiveness in engaging a wider audience.
PNC Championship: Tradition with a Twist
The PNC Championship, December 16-17, 2023, features major champions paired with family members. The participation of Tiger Woods alongside his son, Charlie, has historically boosted the event’s appeal. In 2020, the tournament achieved peak viewership of 3.2 million, coinciding with Woods’ debut in the event.
The familial aspect, combined with Woods’ star power, has proven to attract viewers, suggesting that personal narratives and legacy elements resonate well with audiences. The event’s unique format and the presence of high-profile players contribute to its success, even when competing against other major sports broadcasts.
Do Golfers Care?
The engagement levels for these December tournaments vary, influenced by factors such as star participation, format novelty, and production quality. The PNC Championship benefits from the involvement of iconic figures like Tiger Woods, drawing significant attention despite competing sports broadcasts. In contrast, events like the Crypto.com Showdown face challenges in captivating audiences, particularly when production elements fall short of expectations.
The overlap with the NFL season undeniably affects viewership, as football commands a substantial share of the sports audience during this period. For golf tournaments to succeed in December, they must offer compelling narratives, high-quality production, and unique formats that distinguish them from other sports entertainment options.
While December golf tournaments introduce innovative formats and star-studded lineups, their success in capturing audience interest is mixed. The PNC Championship demonstrates that with the right elements—family dynamics, legendary players, and engaging storytelling—golf can command significant viewership even amidst stiff competition. However, events like the Crypto.com Showdown highlight the importance of production quality and scheduling in enhancing viewer experience and engagement.