9 questions with golf broadcasting legend David Feherty

David Feherty has lived a full life, and now he’s going to his first Winter Olympics and changing up the format of his TV show as it starts an eighth season. We discuss his proudest broadcasting moments, becoming famous, and how much longer he wants to do this.

David Feherty, as they say, has seen some s**t. He’s lived a full life of triumph, pain, addiction, humor, and fame. His show, Feherty, is now more than 100 episodes old and he’s interviewed presidents, movie stars, and the greatest golfers of all time.

But the one with the most interesting life in all those shows may be the person who was asking the questions.

The former tour pro turned broadcasting legend is about to embark on his first Winter Olympics and his eighth season of Feherty. His show is changing from a one-on-one interview setup to Feherty hosting multiple guests in a roundtable format, beginning with Jack Nicklaus and Rickie Fowler the first week of March.

But first up is the Olympics.

We spoke briefly with him before he departs for Korea, hitting on how his work helps keep him alive, becoming a media brand and the fame that goes with it, his interview style, and a warning about how rough the Ryder Cup fans could get this year.

You have seen and done a lot in this game, both as a player and in media. At this point now in your career, what do you find most challenging?

I think the show is the biggest challenge. It’s changed format, and it’s sort of a leap into the unknown here. It wasn’t broken, but we’re fixing it anyway. But it has to evolve. I know it has to evolve. I think going to a two or three guests at a time is a different dynamic, and it takes a little getting used to. I really hope that the viewers will like it. It’s been an interesting experience.

You were a professional golfer. Did you ever think you would become this media “brand” and that the show would grow into this? How do you handle that?

No, I didn’t think it would grow into this. I’m amazed continually by the amount of people that evidently watch the show. If I’m walking through the airport, the people that recognize me. It’s not to the extent that it’s a bother or anything like that. I appreciate the fact that they do.

But as far as the brand is concerned. No, I never expected this; absolutely not. The Golf Channel gave me the chance eight years ago to do this show, and this was not my idea. My idea was for a sort of semi-sitcom, which would have been a disaster. It would have been catastrophic, looking back on it. This was their idea, and it’s grown like I can’t believe.

Do you appreciate the fame that’s come with it or ambivalent toward it or bothered by it?

Yeah, it’s nice. People aren’t obnoxious about it. Generally speaking, it’s just a wave or ‘Hey, I love the show.’ People will always call me [Feherty]. I’ve lost my Christian name. It’s disappeared into the swirling mists of time. At golf tournaments, there’s always a big fat guy with a Miller Lite and mustard on his shirt: “Hey Fehertyyy!!” But people are nice. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Since your playing career ended, you’ve done a lot for charity and done a lot for military families. But specifically in media, what are you most proud of in your broadcasting career and is there maybe a regret or two that you have?

That’s a good question — I don’t think I regret much. I am proud of the Open Championship. It was special the first time I got to broadcast it, having played in it so many times.

I’m proud of the show and proud of the people behind me because there are dozens of people that work on that show. I have the easiest job. I’ve got researchers and people that — it’s kind of an eight- or nine-camera shoot, so it’s impossible to make it look bad.

The guests have been really remarkably forthcoming and given up themselves. I interview from a position of weakness. It’s not — I’m not the strong, silent type. I’m the weak, noisy type.

If I am asking someone a question — and I don’t, I specifically don’t — I’m not going to ask Bill Clinton any Monica Lewinsky questions. I think that’s been done enough. I have guests; I don’t have victims. It’s not Piers Morgan. And I’ve heard some criticism about that, you know, ‘He’s not asking tough questions.’ Well, I don’t want to ask tough questions. I’ll ask awkward questions, embarrassing questions sometimes. But generally speaking, well about 50 percent of the time, I’m the butt of the joke.

Do you have any remaining goals or an idea how much longer you want to do this and be in broadcasting? Or are you just along for the ride right now?

I would be dead within six months if I didn’t work. I’m really … in the winter — well, I’m bipolar — I think they call it seasonal affect disorder or something like that. I get particularly bad in the winter, and it coincides with the time that I have off. So I spend at least a part of pretty much every day overwhelmed by sadness for no apparent reason. It’s the thought of work that drags me out of it.

So I’ll continue to work for as long as people want to listen and watch.

So you have upcoming work out of your normal lane at the Winter Olympics. What are your expectations for that experience, and what do you want to see the most?

Well I’ve already done a couple features — one on biathlon with the world champion. And I’ve just come back from Minneapolis a few days ago and I did a piece on curling, which sort of fascinates me. I like the curling. It’s just people yelling at a rock that’s not listening. It’s kind of like golf in that way.

But yeah I’m really looking forward to South Korea. I don’t really know what to expect — I’ve never done the Winter Olympics before obviously. Well, I guess I expect it will be very slippery. And I am going to be on the morning shows and around the periphery of the games — sort of observational pieces I suspect. I think we’re playing this blind to a certain extent. Just going to go and do whatever I’m asked to do. I know they have plans for me, but I’m not quite sure what shape they are.

Is this something you want to do more of? I know you go on comedy tours and have nontraditional golf pursuits. Is this something you want to do more of if given the chance to get outside of golf?

Yeah I believe I would. It interests me. It occupies my mind. It makes me think, and it’s a challenge. I don’t want to appear knowledgeable in sports in which I am not knowledgeable. For instance, I’m doing two stand-up shows in Minneapolis for the Super Bowl. I’m not an expert on that, by any stretch of the imagination. But I can be an idiot about it, which is what I think people are looking for.

Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images for NBC Sports

We’re now — feel like this is always the required question — we’re now one event in with Tiger Woods. You’ve been covering him closely for decades now. What are your expectations for Tiger for this return and any potential fears or hopes for his season?

You know the game is much more interesting with him in it. If he can stay healthy, I would expect him to win because the only mistake I’ve ever made with Tiger Woods is when I underestimated him. He’s obviously in fantastic shape apart from that one tiny area of his back, and that’s the bit that I worry about. Can he last? Because most people after one back surgery don’t play golf anymore. He’s had four. But if he can stay healthy, I would expect him to win.

Is there anything you are especially looking forward to this year? It’s a great year with Shinnecock, Carnoustie, Ryder Cup all on the schedule. Is there anything specifically you’re most looking forward to?

Yeah, the Ryder Cup. I can’t wait for that. It will be interesting — you know, there was a lot of talk last year [2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine] about the folks in Minnesota, how rude they were and all the rest. Well wait until we go to France. Those people are f***ing rude, professionally.