WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Soccer Beats Golf in National Ratings

The World Cup may turn out to be a television hit in the United States after all.

The U.S.-Switzerland game on Saturday, televised by ABC, beat the third round of the U.S. Open, also carried by ABC. The soccer match got an overnight national rating of 5.8, the golf a 5.0.

“We’re thrilled with this rating, and pleased we’re off to this start,” said ABC spokesman Mark Mandel.