LIV Golf suffers yet another slump in the TV ratings as chiefs blame MARCH MADNESS

LIV Golf averaged 24% percent fewer viewers in its most recent Tucson event, compared with the season-opener in Mexico. 

The Saudi-backed circuit revealed the ‘preliminary’ data to Golf.com Friday, explaining they are ‘pleased with the start’ despite significantly trailing the PGA Tour. 

‘I would characterize the launch of the first two events or inaugural league season as capturing significant viewership,’ LIV chief media officer Will Staeger told the outlet.

‘I think overall, we’re pleased with the start and we’ve got a long way to go.’

According to a LIV source cited by Golf.com, the upstart league had ‘expected’ a dip due to the presence of March Madness during the airing of the Arizona event. 

While LIV has had no issues attracting some of the sport’s top talent, its viewership is incomparable to the Tour at present. 

In the first two weeks, the PGA Tour has had an average weekend viewership of 2.42million and 2.23m — an average of 2.325m in all. 

Meanwhile, LIV averaged 537,000 during coverage of its Mexico event, and 409,000 most recently, meaning an average of 473,000.  

LIV drew only a 0.14 rating across 33 markets in the 18-49 demographic, according to Kevin Van Valkenburg of No Laying Up.

That is somehow worse than the tour’s debut on the CW network, which drew a 0.2 rating in late February.

LIV Golf struck a multi-year deal with the CW Network in January after failing to come to terms with ESPN, Fox Sports or any other major sports broadcaster.

Previously, the controversial PGA rival had been limited to YouTube broadcasts.

LIV Golf is heavily funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign-wealth fund, which has committed at least $2 billion to the circuit. But while the rebel tour has attracted media attention in the form of news articles, that publicity had yet to translate to any media rights or sponsorship deals.