GBR Weekly | Ryder Cup 2025: Europe’s Early Dominance Lifts Sky To Record UK Ratings While NBC Suffers Lowest U.S. Audience Of The Century
Every Tuesday and Friday Morning (not this week), We Bring You the Latest Summary of What's Happening in the Golf Industry While you Were Golfing.
Hello, GBR community, Tom here today.
As Neil mentioned last Friday, some important matters in our lives this week have left us with much less time than usual to put this newsletter together. Still, we didn’t want to miss the chance to bring you a few highlights: reflections on the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, a couple of notable corporate updates, and a selection of the best reads we’ve come across in recent days.
RYDER CUP 2025: EUROPE’S EARLY DOMINANCE DRIVES UK RATINGS TO RECORD HIGHS WHILE U.S. AUDIENCES HIT LOWEST LEVEL OF THE CENTURY
The superiority of Europe over the first two days of the Ryder Cup was felt not only on the scoreboard but also in the ratings: while U.S. audiences dropped to their lowest Sunday levels of the 21st century, the UK broke records. Sky Sports delivered its best ever weekend of golf coverage, with more than five million viewers tuning in over the three days. That figure represented an increase of 45% compared to 2023, with one in four television viewers watching the decisive moments on Sunday. The broadcaster also reached new highs on digital, recording 55 million views across social media and 12.4 million page views for Ryder Cup content. At its peak, the final day drew the largest audience ever for a golf event on Sky, eclipsing even Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory earlier this year and the iconic 2012 Ryder Cup. In total, 8.8 million viewers watched Sky Sports across the weekend, helped by a packed schedule that also included the Premier League, NFL and Women’s Super League.
The picture was very different in the United States. NBC and Peacock averaged 3.22 million viewers for the final day, peaking at 5.3 million, the lowest figure for a Ryder Cup Sunday held in the U.S. since before 2000. By comparison, the 2021 edition at Whistling Straits drew 3.51 million. Even after incorporating so-called “total audience delivery” metrics, this year’s number remained historically weak. Analysts point to two main factors. First, the Ryder Cup’s Sunday finale always collides with the NFL, siphoning away viewers. More damaging, however, was the scale of Europe’s lead: the Americans entered the final day trailing 11.5 to 4.5, the largest deficit in their history. While Europe has often led comfortably on home soil, lopsided contests in U.S. editions have been rare. Without the suspense of a close battle, casual viewers turned elsewhere, leaving NBC with its weakest numbers in decades.
The irony is that U.S. ratings did improve on Rome 2023, when only 1.31 million watched NBC’s Sunday coverage. But context matters: those were overnight hours for Americans, while this year’s edition was staged on home turf. In the end, Europe’s win not only widened the competitive gap—eight victories to three for the Americans since 2000—but also underscored how the Ryder Cup’s drama fuels global audiences differently. In Britain, it was appointment television. In the U.S., without suspense or stars like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in decisive roles, it became background noise against the NFL.
TWO RECOMMENDED READS:
A lot has been written about the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but two pieces in particular stood out to me.
David Rumsey, from the newspaper Front Office Sports reports on the PGA of America facing backlash after the U.S. Ryder Cup team’s poor showing both competitively and in crowd behavior at Bethpage Black. Security concerns peaked after an incident involving Rory McIlroy’s wife, highlighting fan misconduct that included ejections and at least one arrest—rare for golf.
George McNeilly, from Golf One Media, shares a firsthand account of the 2025 Ryder Cup as a paying fan, offering a scathing review of the PGA of America’s event management at Bethpage Black. While praising transportation, entry logistics, and merchandise options, McNeilly highlights major failures in crowd behavior, sanitation, seating, and overall fan experience. He argues the event has outgrown the PGA’s capabilities and urges a shift in mindset—treating attendees not just as fans, but as customers who deserve better for the price they pay.
B. DRADDY AND ZERO RESTRICTION TO OUTFIT 2026 PRESIDENTS CUP TEAMS
The Presidents Cup has announced B. Draddy as Official Uniform and Apparel Provider and Zero Restriction as Official Uniform and Outerwear Provider for the 2026 event at Medinah Country Club, September 22–27, 2026. Both brands are part of Summit Golf Brands (SBG). Following their debut at Royal Montreal in 2024, B. Draddy and Zero Restriction will once again outfit the U.S. and International Teams, along with captains, caddies, and staff. The renewed partnership highlights SBG’s longstanding commitment to the biennial competition.
“We are incredibly proud to once again be named the Official Uniform and Apparel Providers of the Presidents Cup,” said Chad Delp, CEO of SBG, noting the honor of showcasing the company’s portfolio on a global stage at an iconic venue.
👉 You can read the full story written by the Golf Business Review editorial team here.
MISSISSIPPI’S ONLY PGA TOUR EVENT AT RISK WITHOUT NEW SPONSOR
Mississippi’s lone PGA Tour stop, the Sanderson Farms Championship, may soon disappear from the calendar if a replacement sponsor is not found. The tournament is nearing the end of its 13th and final year under Wayne Sanderson Farms, whose support saved the 2025 edition with a last-minute renewal. Tournament director Steve Jent confirmed there are currently no imminent announcements regarding a new backer. The PGA Tour’s business development team is working with organizers to secure support, but time is short: the 2026 fall schedule is expected to be released within weeks, and if a sponsor is not in place, Mississippi could lose its only Tour event. The Sanderson Farms Championship has been a fixture in the state since 2013, but without new corporate support, its future now hangs in the balance. More info from our colleague Ross Reily, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
TOPTRACER PARTNERS WITH THE PGA GB&I TO ENHANCE COACHING EXPERIENCE
Toptracer, the world’s leading range technology, has announced a new strategic partnership with The Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland (The PGA GB&I). The collaboration aims to transform how PGA Members and Trainees learn, coach, and connect with golfers. Through the integration of Toptracer tools such as Toptracer 30, Toptracer 12, and the Toptracer Coach platform, coaches will be able to gather insights, benchmark progress, and deliver more effective training. The partnership also leverages PGA Play to connect more golfers with PGA Members while highlighting technology-enhanced coaching. “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing PGA Members with market-leading products and services that add value to their daily work,” said Richard Barker, Executive Director of Business Development at The PGA. For more information on Toptracer or to find a range near you, visit Toptracer.com.
RED SEA GLOBAL OPENS SAUDI ARABIA’S FIRST ISLAND GOLF COURSE
Red Sea Global (RSG) has launched Shura Links, a par-72 course designed by Brian Curley on Shura Island at The Red Sea. Managed by Golf Saudi, the 7,400-yard course winds through mangroves, dunes, and shoreline, reflecting RSG’s focus on sustainability and regenerative tourism. The beachfront clubhouse serves as a social hub, with dining, retail, and leisure spaces, while highlights include a family-friendly putting course, premium practice facilities, a golf retail boutique, and PGA-led coaching. Curley describes Shura Links as both a challenge for professionals and an inviting experience for newcomers. “This is more than a world-class golf course — it is a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and a symbol of investment, luxury tourism, and sustainable growth,” said Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi. Full press release here.
GOLF LIVE INTRODUCES NEW FEATURES TO ENHANCE COACHING PLATFORM
Golf Live has rolled out major updates to its coaching app, adding tools designed to improve communication between coaches and players both in-person and virtually. The new release, now available for iOS and Android, features a refreshed interface and streamlined navigation. Key upgrades include Live Streams with industry experts, enhanced swing analysis, lesson booking, a coach discovery tool, personalized content libraries, and full FlightScope Mevo+ integration for real-time video and launch data. “Golf Live is changing the way golf coaching is being conducted and content is being consumed,” said Nate Hairgrove, Head of Business Development. “Our goal is to provide a single platform where coaches and players can connect quickly and easily, no matter where they are.” Full press release here.
MUST READS
Matt Chivers, from Golf Monthly profiles Johann Rupert, the South African billionaire quietly shaping professional golf from behind the scenes. As host of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and a key figure in bridging divides between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, Rupert has used his influence to foster unity during golf’s ongoing power struggle.
Chuah Choo Chiang, from the newspaper Korea JoongAng Daily explores the rise of women’s golf in China, tracing its roots to the inaugural Women’s China Open in 2006 and the influence of dominant South Korean players. The article highlights trailblazers like Feng Shanshan and Lin Xiyu, the growing impact of young talents, and how the national tournament has become a launchpad for success across Asia.
David Dusek, from Golfweek dives into the growing buzz around zero-torque putters—clubs designed to reduce face twisting during strokes—and the conspicuous absence of a version from Scotty Cameron. While brands like L.A.B., Odyssey, and TaylorMade have embraced the trend, Cameron has only shown prototypes on Tour. Pros like Ben An and Gary Woodland have used these experimental models, hinting at what’s to come. With Scotty Cameron known for releasing refined gear on its own timeline, the article suggests a debut could be imminent—if and when the brand decides to redefine the category its own way.
Simply Wall St, the blog from Yahoo Finance breaks down why Acushnet Holdings Corp. (maker of Titleist gear, traded as NYSE:GOLF) is doing well financially. The company earns a strong return for its investors—making about 27 cents in profit for every dollar shareholders have put in, which is much better than most companies in the same industry. However, part of that success comes from borrowing money. While borrowing can help a company grow faster, it also brings more risk. The article suggests investors look beyond just strong numbers and think about how the company is using debt and whether its future profits will keep up.
Vinnie Manginelli, from PGA.com speaks with Stephen Arnold and Patrick Cherry of Cover the Tees, a company transforming driving ranges into tech-driven, social golf hubs. By adding covered hitting bays, ball-tracking tech, seating, and even food and beverage options, they’re turning traditional ranges into year-round entertainment venues. The goal is to deepen customer engagement and expand revenue beyond just buckets of balls. With demand booming—installations grew 900% since 2023—facilities are realizing the value in creating fun, accessible spaces that appeal to both serious golfers and families alike.
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This is becoming my 'go to' for consolidated Golf Industry News that is worth reading and paying attention to.