2025 U.S. Open Ratings Dip Slightly: Spaun's Victory

Despite a slight downtick in viewership, the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club showcased resilience in the face of challenges, from weather disruptions to unexpected outcomes on the leaderboard. NBC and Peacock's coverage witnessed a collective average of 5.4 million viewers during the final round.

This viewership number represents a subtle decrease of just over 8% from the preceding year when the drama between Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst No. 2 captivated 5.9 million fans. Yet, the numbers stood strong under the circumstances, including a 90-minute pause due to rain and the triumph of J.J. Spaun, a 150-to-1 pre-tournament underdog, over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre.

Before the inclement weather enforced a break, ratings were actually climbing according to a report from Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal, evidencing a 6% boost compared to the same 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT slot last year. The peak of viewership reached 9 million just after 7 p.m. CT.

Notably, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, tied for seventh and trailing Spaun by five strokes, were the highest-finishing major champions, indicating a leaderboard somewhat devoid of the usual suspects. The overall viewership across the four rounds on NBC and USA Network averaged 2.9 million, a slight decrease from 2024's 3.1 million but still marking it as the second-most-watched East Coast U.S. Open since 2013.

The 2025 U.S. Open not only marked a pivotal moment in terms of viewership but also set a record in digital engagement, becoming the most-streamed golf event in NBC Sports history with more than 10 and a half hours of exclusive coverage on Peacock. This digital milestone speaks to changing consumer habits and the growing importance of streaming platforms in sports broadcasting.

NBC's ongoing negotiations for the USGA media-rights extension further underscore the network's commitment to golf, hinting at future innovations in how the sport is delivered to fans.