Entertainment

PGA Tour Star Adamant Brooks Koepka, Rahm’s Return Won’t Fix Jay Monahan’s Headache: ‘Need Better Product’

Published

9 months ago

January 26, 2025

Ah, the new year started the hopes of something better, but wait, what do we smell? Is that another drop in PGA Tour ratings? That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, the viewing numbers for the latest tournament are in, and they’re not exactly what the PGA Tour would have hoped for. Sepp Straka’s win at the AmEx on Sunday drew a modest 232,000 viewers on Golf Channel, a significant drop from last year’s 534,000 viewers who tuned in to watch Nick Dunlap make history as the first amateur winner on tour in over 30 years. Even two years ago, Jon Rahm’s win attracted 391,000 viewers, a number that now seems like a distant memory. The decline in ratings is a worrying trend for the PGA Tour and one that they’ll be eager to reverse in the coming months.

PGA Tour pro—Byeong Hun An took to Twitter to express his concerns about the future of the sport, and it’s clear he’s not alone in his worries. An thinks that the merger with LIV golfers like Jon Rahm and Koepka might not be the magic solution to boost ratings, predicting that while there might be an initial surge in interest, viewership will eventually drop off again. “It looks that way. I don’t think bringing the players from LIV will help it massively. We will see the rating go up the first couple and start dropping again”, he wrote.

An believes that what’s really needed is a more compelling product, with more golf and fewer commercials. “I do agree the game will be healthier and better with the deal but I think we need a better product, more golf to be shown, less commercial, etc. ” He’s not sure what that would look like, but he’s hoping someone, somewhere, has a brilliant idea to revitalize the sport and make it more engaging for fans.

But how is Jay Monahan planning to help the continuous cycle of decreasing viewership? Well, he may have some plans.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is walking a thin line as he tries to downplay the alarming decline in TV ratings. When asked about the freefalling numbers, Monahan deftly shifted the focus to the Tour’s “overall consumption” being up, citing aggregate metrics that are harder to quantify. “I think when you look at 2024, it’s important to note, and I’m going to note it, that overall consumption across our platforms in aggregate is up,” Monahan said. “That’s a really good sign for the PGA Tour and the engagement that we have with our fans.” While this response may seem like a clever spin, it’s clear that Monahan is trying to divert attention away from the dismal TV ratings. The numbers are undeniably bad, with a reported 15-17% drop in viewership from 2023.

Monahan’s strategy is likely driven by the fact that the PGA Tour is locked into its TV contracts with NBC and CBS until the end of the decade. With billions of dollars at stake, Monahan is wisely choosing not to undermine the Tour’s position by acknowledging the severity of the ratings decline. Instead, he’s opting to emphasize the positives, such as the growth in reach and consumption, in an effort to stabilize the ship. “Nielsen itself is currently looking at its own system and will be announcing changes to its system,” Monahan added. “When you look at reach at the PGA Tour, when that comes out, you’re likely to see a double-digit increase in reach from the PGA Tour, as they’ve been able to further dig into the intelligence that they are now capable of receiving through other partners.” However, the reality is that the PGA Tour needs to address the underlying issues driving the decline in TV ratings, or risk facing a more permanent slump. So, what do you think Monahan’s strategy will work in the 2025 season? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Entertainment

Victoria Mboko beats Cristina Bucsa in Hong Kong to claim her second WTA title

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Earnings

Canadian 19-year-old rising starVictoria Mboko overcame world number 68 Cristina Bucsa from Spain 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-2 in the Hong Kong final to claim the second WTA title of her career.

Mboko converted her second break point in the sixth game to open up a 5-2 lead in the first set. Bucsa broke straight back at 15 in the ninth game to draw level to 5-5 after Mboko wasted three set points across the eighth and tenth games.

Mboko served out the 11^th game with hold at 15 before breaking serve in the 12^th game to close out the first set 7-5.

Mboko broke in the second game of the second set and held serve at love to open up a 3-0 lead. Bucsa broke back in the fifth game and held serve in the next game to draw level to 3-3. Bucsa earned her second break in the 11th game, but she failed to serve out for the second set in the 12^th game, as Mboko broke straight back to draw level to 6-6. Mboko missed a championships point at 8-7 before Bucsa converted her fourth set point to force the match to the decider.

Mboko earned two breaks in the first and seventh games to close out a one-sided third set 6-2 on the third match point in the eighth game.

Last August Mboko won her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open in Montreal. The Canadian player is set to break inside the top 20 for the first time in her career and reach a career-high by winning the WTA 250 title in Hong Kong.

Entertainment

Jannik Sinner ends Carlos Alcaraz’s reign, reclaims world no. 1 honor

Published

5 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Earnings

On Monday, Jannik Sinner will start his second stint on the ATP throne! The Italian claimed his fifth Masters 1000 crown in Paris, earning 1000 ATP points and dethroning his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz.

Jannik leads Carlos 250 ATP points on the latest ATP ranking list, although he has to defend 1500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin. The 24-year-old has won 2050 points since Beijing, including three titles.

His latest success came in the French capital following a flawless performance, having beaten five rivals in straight sets en route to the trophy, his 23rd in a career. Sinner did not think about the year-end no. 1 battle with Alcaraz.

However, his latest run keeps him in contention for the ultimate honor, his second in a row after a dominant display in 2024. Jannik will embrace his 66th world no. 1 week on Monday, moving closer to Stefan Edberg’s 72.

The San Candido native has won five ATP titles in 2025, including three notable ones. Sinner went back to the drawing board following the US Open title clash defeat to Alcaraz.

He brought his improvements to the Asian swing and extended his brilliant run on indoor courts to raise above all the rivals and conquer the ATP throne for the second time.

While not playing at his best physically, the Italian still endured all the efforts in Paris and became the fourth player to conquer a notable indoor event without losing a set.

Jannik dismantled injured Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and arranged the title clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian chased his first Masters 1000 crown and fought well in a 6-4, 7-6 defeat.

The Italian provided another indoor masterclass, serving well and maintaining the pressure on the other side. Sinner faced no break points and seized one of six opportunities on the return, missing a chance to move over the top earlier.

Jannik tamed his strokes nicely and forged the upper hand in the more advanced rallies. The Italian will take a well-deserved rest before heading to Turin, hoping to finish the season on a high note and claim another trophy.

Entertainment

Djokovic learns fate in new home as Sabalenka addresses behaviour

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2025

Earnings

Express Sport brings you the latest tennis news from the Paris Masters.

We’re reaching the business end of the Paris Masters, as eight players become four in the French capital. Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy after Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out by Cameron Norrie in the Spaniard’s opening match. Norrie was then beaten by Valentin Vacherot, whose amazing 10-match winning streak at Masters 1000 level came to an end when he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Canadian star Auger-Aliassime will face Alexander Bublik in the semis. Bublik defeated Alex de Minaur, who is among those to have already qualified for the year-end ATP Finals. Sinner is through to his first Paris Masters semi-final after beating Ben Shelton. He’ll face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who survived a tough match against Daniil Medvedev.

Novak Djokovic is not involved in the Paris Masters, having decided to skip the event for the second year in a row, but he has learned his fate in the draw of next week’s ATP 250 in Athens. And over in Riyadh, the WTA Finals are about to get underway.