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.”