‘The Match’ was most-watched golf event in cable history

Looks like Michael Jordan just gained another rival.

While “The Last Dance” averaged 5.6 million viewers (6.3 million at its peak) and captivated sports-starved fans for five straight Sundays, “The Match: Champions for Charity,” one-upped the Jordan documentary. Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning beating Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady on Sunday afternoon drew an average of 5.8 million viewers, Turner Sports announced Monday.

The golf may have been sloppy at times, but it hardly mattered, as the event became the most-watched golf telecast in the history of cable television, beating the first round of the 2010 Masters on ESPN (4.9M).

The record audience saw Brady looking like a mortal before sinking a wedge shot from more than 100 yards for a birdie out on the seventh hole, ripping his pants while he was at it. He and Mickelson fell behind early before rallying on the back nine to make it close, but an impressive Manning and clutch Woods held them off.

Most importantly, “The Match” raised $20 million for coronavirus relief, with donations coming in throughout the event.