RORY MCILROY’S Augusta heroics helped make history as the most watched day ever on Sky Sports.
McIlroy, 35, etched his name in golfing folklore by becoming only the sixth player in the history of the sport to win a career Grand Slam when he finally won The Masters on his 17th attempt on Sunday.
The Holywood sensation ended his 11-year wait to join golf‘s most exclusive table alongside Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.
And as he slipped his arms into a Green Jacket for the first time in Butler’s Cabin, a record 1.85MILLION viewers watched on from their homes on Sky Sports.
That daily peak is a record for the broadcaster, who had 37 PER CENT of total TV viewership locked in on the Augusta action.
While it was the most watched day in Sky Sports history, as 7.5MILLION people tuned in across all of their channels to watch the sport between 6am and 2am.
It wasn’t just McIlroy’s emotional Masters that brought in those figures either.
It also featured Newcastle’s 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United, the Bahrain Grand Prix, the EFL Trophy final, Indian Premier League cricket and ATP Tennis.
Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht said: “Sunday was a day of unforgettable sporting drama, and a proud day for Sky Sports, as the live action had fans gripped from the morning into the early hours.
“From Rory’s historic win at Augusta to an exciting Bahrain Grand Prix and a packed schedule of football, cricket, and tennis – it was a day that had it all.
Newcastle United’s 4-1 win over Man Utd also contributed to the record-breaking day[/caption]
Oscar Piastri’ Bahrain Grand Prix success helped boost numbers too[/caption]
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“These record-breaking numbers are a testament to the incredible teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring unmissable moments to life and showcase the very best in sport across the world.”
It’s no surprise that everyone had their eyes glued on McIlroy’s victory as the enthralling final round marked a historic moment in the history of golf.
McIlroy hit four double bogeys in an unbelievable week of ups and downs that forced a play-off against Justin Rose to finally earn his locker in the Masters Champions dressing room.
The 29-time PGA Tour event winner broke down as soon as he saw his putt fall into the cup on 18 with a career’s worth of hard work, dedication and heartbreak culminating in one knee-wobbling 5ft birdie.
Augusta erupted in a way that it rarely has before with golf fans almost sharing the burden that McIlroy has been trying to shake for over a decade.
Fighting back the tears in a post-round interview, he said: “There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on that 18th green. But a moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
Rory McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam with a win at The Masters[/caption]
Masters 2025
RORY McILROY finally won the Masters to complete an epic Grand Slam after YEARS of waiting.
The fans’ favourite fell to his knees and roared in celebration after beating Justin Rose in a dramatic play-off.
McIlroy later broke down in an emotional TV interview as he said: “A moment like that makes all the years and all the close calls worth it.”
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