U.S. Open TV ratings get boost from return to prime-time last-round finish

NEW YORK -- The U.S. Open's return to prime time aided its television ratings.

Sunday's final round earned a 6.6 overnight rating and 13 share on NBC. The network said Monday that was up 29 percent from last year, when the coverage started and ended earlier with the tournament on the East Coast.

But it was down from the previous two West Coast Opens when play also took place in prime time.

In 2008 – when Tiger woods battled his way into a Monday playoff with Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines -- the fourth round drew an 8.5/18, and in 2010, when Graeme McDowell won at Pebble Beach, drew a 6.9/15.

This year's final round went up against the NBA Finals, as did the 2008 Open; the 2010 tournament didn't.

Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program. Shares represent the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.