ESPN's Masters Coverage Draws Huge Ratings Even Without Chris Berman

Apparently, the ESPN yukkety yuks in charge of this year's Masters programming were right to leave Chris Berman at home (preparing for the NFL Draft, no doubt). The Network has been internationally televising the tournament since 1993, but this was the first year it covered it domestically. In addition to the first two rounds, ESPN also carried the Par-3 Contest, the first time the event was ever put on the teevees.

And it went better than anybody could've imagined:

The broadcast of the second round Friday was the most-viewed golf telecast on cable, producing a 3.1 rating. It's the first time either of the first two rounds of the Masters has drawn a 3.0 rating. Coverage of Thursday's first round produced a 2.2 rating. ...

"We are very excited about both the broadcast and new media results from our initial domestic association with ESPN," Masters chairman Billy Payne said. "This expanded reach, along with our other initiatives, significantly helps us with our goal of growing the game of golf."

The next logical question is how can ESPN expand their coverage going forward. Which, for fans who don't respond particularly well to the Skip Bayless-ing of the sports news landscape, raises all sorts of concerns.

Luckily, Augusta National, unlike professional sports leagues, doesn't care about money. There's a reason we get to watch The Masters with "limited commercial interruptions." It's because the green-jacketed mafia feels the commercialization of their little event somehow sullies its good name.

Of course, the net worth of Augusta's members is well into the billions of dollars (Bill Gates is in the club), so it's not like they're looking to make a quick buck . Whatever, thank God for really rich old white dudes.