U.S. Open ratings soar

The U.S. Open’s sudden-death playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate drew the best Monday golf ratings in 30 years, earning a 7.6 overnight rating and a 20 share, according to NBC Sports, which broadcast the dramatic midday event.

The playoff fell just short of topping ratings for the Phoenix Open on Jan. 16, 1978, when Miller Barber won by a stroke over Jerry Pate and Lee Trevino.

Meanwhile, NBCSports .com also reported that Monday was its highest-traffic day in the website’s history, setting a single-day record for page views (9.14 million) and unique users (2.03 million).