Category: Golf on TV

‘The Match II’ takeaway: Keep microphones on players once play resumes

If I worked for the PGA Tour, I would demand on-course access to all the players. Now.

Prior to Sunday’s The Match: Champions for Charity, fans had watched competitive golf just once from Medalist Golf Club.

It was on March 5, 1995, two months after it opened, when world No. 1 Nick Price beat Medalist co-founder and world No. 2 Greg Norman in a “Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf” event. Norman, who was coming off a tough defeat to Nick Faldo the previous day at the Doral-Ryder Open when he bogeyed the last hole, lost to Price by four shots after a 4-over 76 on the course he co-designed with Pete Dye.

There were maybe 3,000 spectators on hand that Monday morning at the Treasure Coast course, with most of the exposure coming months later when the Shell’s episode was aired. And re-aired.

Sunday’s televised match at Medalist went to a slightly larger audience on Turner Sports: 5.8 million viewers. That made it the most-watched golf telecast in cable television history.

Larger than, gulp, the Masters. To quote Verne Lundquist, “Never in my life …”

There were two reasons for the smash ratings:

  1. The appeal of icons Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, providing the event with crossover appeal.
  2. Fans are starved to see live sports after every major league or tour has been shut down for 2½ months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sure, it was a little strange to see Woods and Mickelson wearing shorts, playing in front of no fans, riding alone in souped-up carts with no caddies and mic’d up.

We need to see more of that last portion.

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Hearing Mickelson go through an in-depth explanation to announcer-for-the-day Justin Thomas on how he would play his chip on the second hole — taking into account the rain, the grain and the spin — was priceless.

So was Woods. After listening to Mickelson yapping about how he had drank coffee,  was about to “activate” his calves and hit a “bomb” on the first long-drive hole, Tiger dryly looked at the camera and said, “Yes, ladies and gentleman, this is what I have to listen to every time I play with him.”

Just after announcer Charles Barkley derided Brady after a horrific start, telling him he would have to give the 8-handicapper shots in a match, Brady responded by holing a wedge from the seventh fairway for a birdie.

“Suck on that Chuck!” said Brady, who no doubt has said far worse during his six Super Bowl wins. Only we could never lip-read those comments because he was wearing a helmet.

It was great theater.

If I worked for the PGA Tour, I would demand on-course access to all the players. Now.

Most of them don’t want to be interrupted during their five-hour rounds because it would interrupt their focus. Well, most of us would prefer not to be wearing a mask or going months without seeing our loved ones, but then almost 100,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus.

Things have changed in our world because of COVID-19, and professional sports needs to connect to a new normal.

On-course interviews haven’t hurt the PGA Tour Champions. It doesn’t matter what a player says, short of saying what club he hit, because there is no defense in golf.

When the PGA Tour returns in two weeks, there will be no spectators for at least the first four events and a lot less fans for the foreseeable future. Without crowd noise, let’s hear more from the players and their caddies.

Golfers can’t rely on crowd support to energize them, but didn’t they learn how to play the game in solitude? Isn’t making more than $1 million to win a golf tournament enough of a motivation?

The lack of fans will hurt pro golfers in other ways. Medalist member Brooks Koepka was the first to point out the best players will start losing balls on tour because there won’t be thousands of fans and marshals to keep an eye on them.

This, from a guy who has won four (and has a pair of second-places) of his last 10 majors.

There are other ways the game will become more difficult for the world’s best.

There won’t be thousands of spectators (or large grandstands) to stop a foul ball from running into the rough, out-of-bounds or penalty areas. Even slightly off-line shots will land in rough that hasn’t been trampled down by fans. And players won’t need to ask for a free drop if their crooked shot lands behind a pavilion.

The pros will have to – oh my gosh – play the game like the rest of us.

Wouldn’t that be special?

The best part about The Match: Champions for Charity was it raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. And, just maybe, it provided a blueprint for how professional golf can become even more entertaining.

Less quiet, please.

Peyton Manning tried to get in Tom Brady’s head with a comment about Bill Belichick

Manning got things going during an interview on the range when he was asked who he might have brought in to caddie for him.

The beginning of The Match – which featured Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson – was delayed because of rain,

But the trash talking wasn’t delayed at all, which was nice. Manning got things going during an interview on the range when he was asked who he might have brought in to caddie for him.

He brought up his brother, Eli Manning, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and one more …

Bill Belichick.

Brady was warming up next to Manning when the comment was made, which made it even better. Peyton, of course, hasn’t been one to hold back on making things awkward for Brady since he left the Patriots, and it looks like he’s ready to keep that going:

Not surprising, the fans loved it:

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Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning say Charles Barkley can’t make bogey or better

Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning talk trash about Charles Barkley’s chances to post a bogey on the final hole of today’s “The Match II.”

It’s hard to know whether Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will mesh well together during “The Match II,” but they’re certainly unified on whether or not Charles Barkley can make bogey or better on the 18th hole of today’s event.

During the Bleacher Report pregame show, both Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson insisted that Barkley will get his competitive juices flowing and can at least post bogey.

Barkley will be one of the commentators on today’s broadcast, but then will play the final hole for charity.

Woods did not share the same enthusiasm about Barkley’s ability to at least post a 5 on the 444-yard final hole.

“I don’t care what tees he’s playing from,” Tiger said. “It’s not gonna happen.”

Tiger’s teammate, former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos great Manning, also was quick to pile on.

“That charity better look for another place to get that money,” Manning said.

The Match: Champions for Charity free trivia game

The Match: Champions for Charity is finally here, pitting Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a charity match to raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts.

USA TODAY has released a new, special trivia game around The Match: Champions for Charity, which you can take part in absolutely free. It’s easy to participate and adds some extra excitement to Sunday’s event.

The Match: Trivia – How to play

  • Sign up for free at USA TODAY Trivia
  • Select The Match: Champions for Charity box among the listings Note: There will be pre-event and in-event trivia questions!
  • Answer each question with how you believe The Match will play out
  • Sit back and watch your “My Stats” results to see how you’re doing
  • Don’t forget to also take part in the in-event trivia, too

Sign up now for USA TODAY’s The Match trivia game.

‘The Match II’: Could Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson partner with these athletes?

Yes, “sports” are still not yet back. But there will be appointment sports television Sunday, particularly for golf fans, with Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning teaming up against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity” event …

Yes, “sports” are still not yet back. But there will be appointment sports television Sunday, particularly for golf fans, with Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning teaming up against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity” event (3 p.m. ET on TNT, TBS and truTV) that will raise $10 million for COVID-19-related charity.

In terms of celebrity, that’s about as heavy-hitting of a foursome as they come. Plenty of backstory exists between the rivalries Mickelson and Woods shared on the course and the battles Brady and Manning dueled out on the football field.

The event also got us thinking. If Brady and Manning weren’t involved, who would be an adequate replacement?

Stephen Curry at the 2019 Safeway Open pro-am in Napa, Calif. Photo: Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Steph Curry: This guy doesn’t only have pinpoint accuracy from 3-point range. The sharpshooter’s handicap has dipped to as low as 1.5. The Golden State Warriors guard is seriously invested in the game, funding Howard University’s men’s and women’s programs. Curry has the superstar appeal and elite golf game to headline any type of event such as this.

Tony Romo hits on the 10th hole during the first round of the Safeway Open at Silverado Resort on September 26, 2019 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Tony Romo: We know Romo can announce the heck out of a football game. He’s also a talented golfer, and he’s used some sponsor exemptions to play in PGA Tour events (four times in the last two years). Say CBS were to have the rights — a live mic on Romo with him consistently bantering with NFL play-by-play partner Jim Nantz would be gold.

John Smoltz
Ex-Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz celebrates his birdie at the second hole during the second round of the 2018 U.S. Senior Open at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

John Smoltz: Said Woods of the former MLB pitcher: “I had not ever played with an amateur that had ever shot the scores he shot.” That’s more than enough approval right there. Calling the World Series over the last few years for Fox, Smoltz has maintained a public presence.

Michael Jordan and Keegan Bradley during the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Michael Jordan: Side bets are going to be an anticipated offshoot of any celebrity foursome. Adding Jordan would take it to another level. He plays a lot, and having a camera on him for three consecutive hours in a competitive environment might allow viewers to learn more about him than they did during “The Last Dance.”

The Match: Trivia – How to play

USA TODAY has released a new, special trivia game around The Match: Champions for Charity, which you can take part in absolutely free. It’s easy to participate and adds some extra excitement to Sunday’s event.

  • Sign up for free at USA TODAY Trivia
  • Select The Match: Champions for Charity box among the listings Note: There will be pre-event and in-event trivia questions!
  • Answer each question with how you believe The Match will play out
  • Sit back and watch your “My Stats” results to see how you’re doing
  • Don’t forget to also take part in the in-event trivia, too

Sign up now for USA TODAY’s The Match trivia game.

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TV: Match play event nets 2.35M average viewers

The masses were waiting for live golf’s return and showed up in big numbers on Sunday for the TaylorMade Driving Relief event.

The field was smaller and the format was certainly different, but the masses were waiting for live golf’s return and showed up in big numbers on Sunday for the TaylorMade Driving Relief event from Florida’s Seminole Golf Club.

According to Golf Channel, a total audience of 2.35 average viewers showed up to watch the duo of Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson beat Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in a charity skins match that raised more than $5.5 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. Donations are continuing at PGATOUR.com/DrivingRelief.

That number includes NBC, GOLF Channel, NBCSN, as well as the NBC Sports and PGA TOUR streaming platforms.

“Sunday’s telecast helped raise awareness for the American Nurses Foundation, CDC Foundation and Off Their Plate, three organizations on the frontlines of COVID-19 relief efforts. It’s a credit to the PGA TOUR, corporate partners and the players for making this event a terrific success,” said Pete Bevacqua, president, NBC Sports Group. “On top of the funds raised for these charitable entities, audiences were treated to their first look at Seminole Golf Club, which ultimately was the fifth star on Sunday in its television debut.”

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How do those numbers stack up against a traditional golf Sunday? Pretty well.

Despite some unfavorable reviews for a choppy broadcast format that included an interview with President Trump, the 2.35 million number falls in around the norm in comparison to the averages that CBS and NBC attained for 2019 second quarter final day broadcasts.

The number was good with a younger audience, as well, as it far surpassed last year’s WGC Dell Match Play Event in Austin, Texas — coming in 66 percent higher with that demographic.

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Bohannan: Match play events a great test run for golf’s big return

The upcoming match play events could be an important test of what golf will look like with no fans.

When CBS didn’t have a live Masters tournament to televise in April, network officials made an interesting and telling decision.

In selecting two past final rounds to show that weekend, the network didn’t go with victories from Jordan Spieth or Patrick Reed or Sergio Garcia. It went with the time-tested appeal of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. CBS selected Mickelson’s 2004 victory and Woods’ 2019 victory to attract as many viewers as possible for a taped event.

So it’s no surprise that a live, televised golf event that also serves as a charity fundraiser for COVID-19 relief will feature Woods against Mickelson in a rematch of their November 2018 event played in Las Vegas.

In doing so, Woods and Mickelson will again be honoring a long history of televised golf events for just a handful of players, a tradition that dates back to the 1950s with venerable events like Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf.

And Turner Sports, which will televise the match on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN, will be hoping a sports-starved country tunes in.

Larry Bohannan is the golf writer for the Desert Sun in Palm Springs, California, part of the USA Today Network.

As it turns out, the younger guns of the PGA Tour will get their chance to shine in a made-for-television event first. As networks and players scramble to get live golf back on the airwaves, it might be a nice test of the appeal of the younger players and a true golf format again the appeal of Hall of Famers with some celebrity golf added to the mix.

The first match will be the May 17 TaylorMade Driving Relief event featuring the game’s biggest players at the moment, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson against Rickie Fowler and Matt Wolff in a skins format. There will be a fifth star that week, the rarely seen and legendary Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla.

Hall of Famers and quarterbacks

Woods and Mickelson take the stage a week later with Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity. Instead of the $9 million winner-take-all head-to-head match Woods and Mickelson played for television in Las Vegas, the two Hall of Famers will be paired this time with a couple of good players but non-golfers, quarterbacks Peyton Manning (with Woods) and Tom Brady (with Mickelson). The event should generate $10 million for virus relief.

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There will be those who will dismiss both events as not really being golf, as being nothing more than golf merely for some rich golfers to get a little richer, or at least helping their own image while raising money for charity. When Woods and Mickelson met in Las Vegas, there were plenty of critics. But some golf fans and some gambling fans did watch.

Toss in the idea that there hasn’t been any live golf for anyone to watch since the first round of the ill-fated Players Championship on March 26, and people should be tuning in to NBC/Golf Channel for the McIlroy-Johnson match and TNT/TBS for Woods and Mickelson to play.

The matches should include the usual needling – from McIlroy in the first match, likely from Manning and Mickelson in the second match – and some players going for some unlikely shots. Brady and Manning will probably provide at least one or two truly amateur shots for fans to roll their eyes over.

Ready for live sports again

But the matches will test two other important aspects of golf as it tries to become the first sport to reopen in the United States as the pandemic is hopefully flattened. First, just what is the appetite of television viewers for live golf? No, this won’t be a full-field official event for the PGA Tour. But everyone is betting that golf has its loyal following, and that non-golf fans will come along for the ride with no other sports to watch.

Second, this could be a pretty important test of what golf will look like with no fans. When the PGA Tour returns in June – assuming everything goes well for the next few weeks – and the LPGA returns in July, big galleries will definitely not be part of the plan.

Golf is one of the few sports that can be played comfortably without a big on-site crowd. If television viewers still tune in without fans on the fairways, something that might not happen for, say, college football, that could be great news for tournaments in the fall that have been rescheduled. That includes the ANA Inspiration in September in Rancho Mirage and the men’s U.S. Open later in September in New York.

Whatever happens, there will be a core group of fans who will tune in to watch Mickelson and Woods hit honest-to-goodness live golf shots, do a little trash-talking with Manning and Brady and give some hope to fans for the return of live sports across the country. That should be worth tuning in.

Larry Bohannan is the golf writer for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA Today Network. He can be reached at larry.bohannan@desertsun.com. Follow him on Facebook or on Twitter at Sun.@Larry_Bohannan.

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Don’t count out Peyton Manning on ‘Match’ trash talk

Manning jumped into the trash-talk fun, kidding that the Tampa QB had to stay in Florida after accidentally going in the wrong home.

Tom Brady got the better of Peyton Manning on the field more often, but the Indianapolis Colts legend is getting his digs in where he can.

On Thursday, Manning, Brady, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods announced The Match: Champions for Charity, which will be played May 24 at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. It will be shown on TNT, TBS, truTV and Headline News Network and benefit COVID-19 relief efforts.

TNT’s Ernie Johnson talked with all of the stars in the reveal, and Manning didn’t hold back. Brady thought it was funny enough to post it on social media.

On Brady entering the home of a stranger by accident shortly after arriving in the Tampa area to join the Buccaneers: “The course had to be in Florida. You know, after Tom’s B&E arrest … he couldn’t leave the state. Tiger and I talked to the sheriff in Tampa, and he’ll be allowed to go to Palm Beach.”

On Manning’s struggles against Brady in New England over the years: “I’ll be honest, I’ve never played Tom very well on his home turf, so maybe this is considered a neutral site.

“I would’ve have loved to have had this tournament in a place where they don’t like Tom very much — Indianapolis, Denver, Boston, after he just betrayed them.”

Brady played 20 years for the New England Patriots before signing with Tampa Bay.

On total titles among the groups: “Phil chose the right partner in Tom. Together they have 11 (major) championships. Tiger and I have 17.”

 

Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson: Match II officially has a date

Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will face Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady on May 24.

It’s official: Tiger-Phil II will be held Sunday, May 24 at Medalist Golf Club in Florida.

Turner Sports will present Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity, a live golf competition headlined by Woods and Mickelson returning for a rematch, this time joined by Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks of all time. The broadcast will be simulcast exclusively on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN at 3 p.m. ET, with pre-match coverage available in the Bleacher Report app.

The competition will feature Woods and Manning vs. Mickelson and Brady, facing off in team match play with a Four-Ball (Best Ball) format on the front nine and a modified alternate shot format on the back nine, where each participant will tee off and then the team will play alternate shot from the selected drive. The unique combination of formats is aimed to provide an entertaining mix of strategy, team collaboration and consequence to nearly every shot. As part of the competitive play, there will also be a set of on-course challenges to raise additional charitable funds.

PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 07: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hits a tee shot during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club on February 7, 2014 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Tom Brady hits a tee shot during the second round of the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Photo by by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

WarnerMedia and the golfers will collectively make a charitable donation of $10 million to benefit COVID-19 relief. As part of the fundraising efforts, the competition will also include a partnership with the ALL IN Challenge, along with additional on-course competitive challenges for charity.

Fundraising associated with Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity will support national and local beneficiaries, aiming to help make an impact on many of the communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations will be made to organizations working across multiple areas of need including Direct Relief, which equips health workers on the front lines with life-changing medical supplies; the American Red Cross, which has adapted its everyday emergency relief efforts to work within this new environment, including providing virtual support and collecting convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment; Save Small Business, a grant-making initiative to help small business employers who are struggling due to the pandemic; and the ALL IN Challenge, an initiative that aims to eliminate food insecurity by providing food to those in need.

In partnership with the ALL IN Challenge, all four participants will have donated custom experiences that will raise millions towards the cause, with viewers having the ability to enter into a live raffle for ones featuring Woods and Mickelson during the telecast as well.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unimaginable tragedy and heartbreak,” said Jeff Zucker, Chairman, WarnerMedia News and Sports. “We’re hopeful this event and platform will help raise meaningful funding for COVID-19 relief, while also providing a source of brief distraction and entertainment for all sports fans.”

The match will be held at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, Opened in 1995, the renowned course acts as the home course to many PGA Tour players including Tiger Woods. In preparation for the event, tournament organizers are working with state and local government and public health officials on competition and production logistics to ensure the event follows safety and health protocols.

DUBLIN, OH - MAY 30: Former NFL player, Peyton Manning, speaks with Tiger Woods during the Pro-Am prior to The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 30, 2018 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning chats with Tiger Woods during the Memorial Tournament pro-am on May 30, 2018 in Dublin, Ohio. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Live coverage airing on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN will feature unprecedented access with all players having open mics throughout the entire competition, including the capability to communicate directly with other golfers and the broadcast commentators. More information on the live production, including the commentator team, will be announced leading up to the event. In addition to live televised coverage, social and digital content prior to the event will be available through Bleacher Report and House of Highlights.

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Stuck at Home With: TPC Beer Run architects Karen Stupples and Jerry Foltz

Karen Stupples and Jerry Foltz have been road warriors for decades as touring pros and as Golf Channel talent. Now they’re stuck at home.

The “Stuck at Home With” series profiles players, caddies and staff in the women’s game who are making the most of an unprecedented break in tour life due to the coronavirus pandemic. New stories will be posted every Tuesday and Thursday.

TPC Beer Run is set to open any day now. That is, if Karen Stupples can tear herself away from her paint projects long enough to finish the last two holes.

The longest hole on the current design is 114 yards. The shortest is 34 yards with a green that’s about the size of a Volkswagen, according to co-owner Jerry Foltz. All five holes wrap around a pond that takes up about an acre of their property.

Stupples and Foltz bought this little slice of heaven, 4 acres in all, on West Lake Toho two and a half years ago in St. Cloud, Florida. They like to watch the bald eagle that takes a breather on the tree next to the house.

“I can’t live far enough out,” said Foltz of country life.

They’ve been road warriors for decades. First as touring pros and now as Golf Channel talent. The coronavirus lockdown has led to an unprecedented amount of time at home for most people, but especially for the likes of Stupples and Foltz, who spend much of the year in airplanes and hotels.

“We are living like normal people in the most abnormal times,” said Foltz.

To the delight of many, the couple has essentially invited us all into their home during this pandemic, documenting Foltz’s newfound love of baking and Stupples’ never-ending to-do list. It’s like an episode of HGTV breaks out every day on their property.

“The feeling of freedom that you have when you’re living out here is fantastic,” said Stupples, chief designer and superintendent at TPC Beer Run.

To cut the greens, Stupples puts the riding mower on its lowest setting and drives in circles. To get a closer cut, she might get out the push mower. Foltz estimates they’re rolling at about a 2 on the Stimp.

The holes are cut to 6 inches, about the size of a large coffee can. They cut down bamboo on the property to use as flagsticks. Foam balls were purchased off Amazon. They’re considering painting faces on all the balls like Wilson in the Tom Hanks film “Cast Away.”

Stupples was so far ahead of the masses on what coronavirus might look like in the U.S. that she had masks and gloves delivered to the house in January. Several weeks before the Players Championship, Foltz went to the grocery store to stock up on supplies, trying not to look like a hoarder before hoarding was a thing.

He picked up several loaves of bread to freeze and then spotted flour in one of the aisles. Even though he didn’t so much as know how to turn on the oven, Foltz decided to put the bread back and stock up on flour and yeast, thinking he could bake his own and save the freezer space.

What started out as a loaf of bread quickly morphed into croissants, Australian meat pies and his first batch of chocolate chip cookies. Stupples raves about his biscuits. He even tried homemade pasta without a pasta maker.

“Now I’m absolutely addicted to it,” he said. “I bake something just about every day now.”

Stupples got in the mix too, baking her first birthday cake for son Logan, who turned 13 in late April. It’s the first time she’s been home in several years to celebrate Logan’s birthday, one of the unexpected joys of this most unusual spring.

On May 17, the couple will be back to work for the charity match at Seminole Golf Club. Foltz will be an on-course reporter for the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins game, which features Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff.

Stupples will be the advance person gathering yardages for the broadcast. (The former Women’s British Open champ is usually in the booth at LPGA events or working as an on-course reporter.)

There won’t be any caddies for the event, Foltz said. Each player will be in his own cart. A clinician is coming by their house to administer a COVID-19 test and they’ve been asked not to leave home after that’s done. They’ll be tested again onside at Seminole.

Neither are too keen on flying anytime soon. They’ve mapped out the rest of the LPGA’s domestic schedule for 2020 and plan to drive everywhere.

“There are going to be a lot of 20- to 25-hour trips,” said Foltz.

Both happen to love a good road trip. Stupples traveled in an RV while competing on the LPGA.

This time they’ll likely pack up Foltz’s four-door pickup, put a Yeti cooler on the back floor board and just go.

But for now, there’s yardwork to be done and folks to respond to on Twitter. Opening up their lives on social media was never about self-promotion. Just a fun distraction that has become part of their quarantine routine.

“We have so much time that we actually respond to almost every comment,” said Foltz. “Seems like we’ve made lifelong friends through the process.”

Click here to read more from the “Stuck at Home With” series.

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David Feherty: My best round of 61 came in a ‘blind hangover’

The Golf Channel star said his round of 61 came after he stayed out until 4:30 a.m., and included an unsavory moment on the third hole.

David Feherty has a knack for getting others to spill their guts. Certainly, he doesn’t need much of a nudge to spill his own, but give Rich Eisen credit for getting the golf analyst/TV star to tell an interesting anecdote about his golf career this week.

The two celebrities appeared on each other’s shows this week and when Feherty called into the Rich Eisen Show on Friday, he was asked about his best competitive round.

Feherty, who has been open about his struggles with alcohol in the past, recalled a performance back from March 16, 1991.

“The best round I ever shot was from a blind hangover at the Catalan Open in Eastern Spain. I shot a 61 that particular day,” Feherty said.

“I threw up on the third tee.”

Feherty explained that he thought he’d already been eliminated from contention at the event, which was played that spring at Club de Golf Bonmont Terres Noves.

“The night before, I thought I’d miss the cut by a shot. My pal Sam Torrance and I went out and we had a few adult beverages. It was one of those nights where you say, ‘I’ll have one more and then I’ll stay.’ Then I got in about 4:30 in the morning,” Feherty said.

“I just happened to notice on the board at the hotel where we were staying that the draw sheet was up. I was off first at 6:30.”

The lack of sleep didn’t hurt Feherty, who finished with five European Tour victories to his credit.

“I went out in 31, and came back at 30, and I honestly can say that at no stage during the round did I know where I stood,” he said. “I went from just making the cut by a shot to being two behind.

“So, the next evening I decided I better suck it in here and act like an adult. So I did. And then I went out and shot a 75 the following day. I’m not proud of it.”

Truth be told, Feherty’s memory from the event might be a bit fuzzy, Records indicate he shot a 72 in the final round and placed second behind Jose Maria Olazabel, who won by six strokes.

Let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good story.

While chuckling through the interview, Eisen finally asked, “So what’s the moral of the story, David?”

“I’m not sure moral is the correct word for it,” Feherty responded.

“I tended to play well when I didn’t feel well.  I think feeling ill took my mind off thinking where the ball was going to go and maybe made me relax a little.

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”