Work productivity in America — especially if there are TVs, computers or smartphones readily available for employees — might have taken a beating during the NCAA basketball tournament.
And according to a gambling website’s survey of 2,000 golf fans, next week’s Masters Tournament may result in even more slacking to watch the first major championship of the season.
Pickswise.com reported that 56 percent of the fans they surveyed have watched the Masters and will continue to do so while at work. And they’re taking some risk: 82 percent acknowledge that sneaking peaks at their smartphones or laptops to watch streaming coverage of the tournament is a violation of company policy.
But what’s a boss’ wrath when it comes to watching Tiger Woods make a run on the back nine?
There also might be added motivation to watch next week’s Masters: the sight of PGA Tour players and LIV Golf members playing in the same groups.
Must-see TV? If Patrick Reed is in the same group with Rory McIlroy, you bet your azaleas.
Other tidbits about unauthorized viewing of pine trees, azaleas and championship golf:
- Of the respondents who said they would not try to watch the Masters at work, only 4 percent said it was because they were not interested in golf.
- When asked if they had ever called in sick so they could stay home and watch the Masters, 79 percent said no, 9 percent yes and 12 percent said, not me, “but a friend has.”
- More than 60 percent of the respondents said they watched tournament coverage on their smartphones, 17 percent from a work computer and 13 percent from a personal computer.
- And how special is the Masters to many golf fans? Nearly three-quarters of those responding (73 percent) said they didn’t try to sneak peeks at the other major golf tournaments while at work.