Tiger's comeback most-watched golf telecast

NEW YORK -- ESPN's coverage of Tiger Woods' return to golf in the first round of the Masters on Thursday made a little bit of television history.

The Nielsen Co. said Woods' comeback drew just under 5 million viewers. That made it the most-watched golf telecast ever in cable television, beating the 2008 U.S. Open championship playoff involving Woods and Rocco Mediate. Viewing was 47 percent higher than first round coverage last year.

Nielsen didn't immediately have an estimate of how many people watched Woods' first tee shot, which was covered live by ESPN more than two hours before its regular Masters coverage.