Two PGA Championship Press Releases From Sunday

Because I was out all day Sunday, I was not able to post these releases.

First, CBS says its ratings for the 3rd round for the PGA Championship from Saturday were up a whopping 390%!!!!! Three guesses why and the first two don’t count. One hint. First name begins with Tiger.

CBS Sports’ third-round coverage of the 2009 PGA Championship on Saturday, Aug. 15 earned an overnight household rating/share in the metered markets of 4.9/13, up +390% from last year’s coverage which earned a 1.0/2; and up +7% compared to a 4.6/12 in 2007.

Last year’s third round coverage of the PGA Championship, which ran against the 2008 Summer Olympics, was also interrupted by rain.

Saturday’s third round rating peaked at 5.6/13 from 6:30-7:00 PM, ET.

This year’s PGA Championship third round was the second highest-rated of the four majors in 2009:

Masters Third Round – 5.7/13 (CBS)

U.S. Open Third round – 3.7/9 (NBC)

British Open – 2.4/7 (ABC)

I can only imagine what Sunday’s will be with Y.E. Yang of South Korea winning over Tiger. And this is quotage from TNT’s coverage from Sunday.

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Hazeltine National Golf Club – Round Four – Sunday, August 16, 2009

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Sean O’Hair (+14) after his final round.

O’Hair on playing a quick round: “I think it just gets you good momentum. I played in two hours and 23 minutes at the Tour Championship in 2005 and shot a 64. I think it sets a tone for you a little bit and it’s nice to not have to wait and to have fresh greens. You just get up to (the tee) and hit it.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Ian Poulter (+2 after three rounds) before the final round

Poulter on being disappointed with his play at the PGA Championship: “I feel like I should be contending. I’m personally disappointed about (round three). I felt I left some shots on the course (in the first two rounds) as well. (I’ve got) some work to do to make sure these mistakes don’t happen in the future.”

Baker-Finch on Y.E. Yang’s remaining in contention: “(Going for broke) is the kind of attitude that (Y.E. Yang) has to take. He’s certainly got nothing to lose. He looked a little bit soft on a couple of short putts (in the third round). He looked nervous; he had a deer-in-the-headlights look a couple of times. He also made a couple of shots that were very impressive. He’s definitely got the ability.”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Vijay Singh (E) before his final round

Singh on his putting struggles in the third round: “I feel very comfortable with my stroke. It’s a learning process and you go through things like (bad putting) and you see what you can improve on afterwards. I went back and thought about it and I think I learned a lot from (round three) and I think it’s going to make me better.”

Kratzert on Padraig Harrington making a run at leader Tiger Woods: “I think (Padraig) Harrington is the one you have to keep an eye on because he is so mentally tough. Is he hitting it well enough? I thought (round three) was his best ball-striking day of the three days so far. I think Harrington is going to challenge (Tiger Woods).”

TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Corey Pavin (-1) before his final round

Pavin on finding a balance between being a Ryder Cup captain and competing in tournaments: “It’s always there, it’s always in the back of my mind. At the very least, I’m paying attention to everything that is going on. Obviously when I get on the golf course, that’s a different story. Then it’s time to shut that down, play golf, work on my game and see what I can do in a tournament.”

Kratzert on Phil Mickelson: “He’s one of the really fun players to go out there and walk with as an on-course announcer. You never know what you’re going to get. He’s so appreciative and he never misses making eye-contact, or making the person that has hung on the ropes for ten minutes waiting to see him, he’ll always make an effort to see (that person).”

I got home in time to watch the final four holes. Tremendous television.