New York ? A record 55 million viewers watched NBC’s weekend coverage of Tiger Woods’ victory at the U.S. Open, and Sunday’s final round was the most watched golf telecast this year.

NBC’s coverage of Woods’ victory produced an 8.9 national rating with a 22 share, tying ABC’s coverage in 1981 as the highest-rated Sunday telecast for the U.S. Open since 1973 and the fourth best in Open history since 1960, according to Nielsen Media Research.

The rating represents a 24 percent increase over last year’s 7.2 rating and 19 share for Retief Goosen’s Open victory, and was 10 percent more than the 8.1 and 21 recorded for Wood’s Open championship in 2000.

Sunday’s final round attracted 38 million viewers, making it the most viewed golf telecast this year.