David Feherty
GolferCommentator
United Kingdom
David Feherty is a Northern Irish former professional golfer. During his playing career, he won five European Tour events and represented Europe in the 1991 Ryder Cup; after retiring in 1997, he became an on-course reporter and analyst, later hosting the Golf Channel interview series Feherty. [1][2]
Career and work
Feherty played professional golf primarily on the European Tour, where he won five events. He also recorded ten victories worldwide, captained Ireland to victory in the 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup and represented Europe in the 1991 Ryder Cup, defeating Payne Stewart in his singles match. [1]
After retiring from professional golf in 1997, Feherty moved into television. He spent nearly two decades as an on-course reporter for CBS before joining NBC Sports and Golf Channel in 2016. He also hosted the interview series Feherty, which ran for ten seasons and featured golfers, athletes, entertainers and political figures. [2][12]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
DP World TourDavid Feherty Provides Feherty’s professional golf record, including five European Tour victories, his captaincy of Ireland in the 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup, his appearance for Europe in the 1991 Ryder Cup and his later work as a television commentator.
article or webpageCBS NewsDavid Feherty Provides career background on Feherty’s transition from professional golf to broadcasting.
article or webpageGolf DigestDavid Feherty’s one-man show: uncensored, unhinged, and worth the price of admission Documents Feherty’s self-disclosed bipolar I disorder and includes his descriptions of sudden changes in mood and severe sleep difficulties.
article or webpage
View all 12 sources
Golf Digest, 2013David Feherty Profile: Scorecard From The Edge A detailed profile covering Feherty’s depression, psychiatric medication, mood stabilizers and broader treatment history.
profile or biographyGolf Digest, 2015David Feherty details extent of his drug and alcohol abuse in interview Covers Feherty’s longstanding alcohol and drug addiction and the role Tom Watson and others played in helping him seek help.
interviewGolf Digest, 2018Smiling Through The Tears: David Feherty on Comedy and Tragedy Covers Feherty’s continuing experience with bipolar disorder and depression, psychiatric medication, support from people close to him, addiction and his description of continuing to value his life despite recurring sadness.
article or webpageSporting News, 2016Golf Channel’s David Feherty on buffoonish USGA, Tiger Woods and addiction A first-person interview covering Feherty’s bipolar disorder, addiction, stigma and his reasons for discussing mental illness publicly. It provides the quotation used in the profile.
interviewThe Irish Times, 2023A comic and tragic David Feherty shoots from the hip Includes Feherty’s later reflections on living with diagnosed bipolar disorder and depression, taking medication and continuing to experience periods of sadness.
article or webpageYahoo Sports, 2015David Feherty details his substance addiction and how Tom Watson helped him Supports Feherty’s description of receiving a bipolar diagnosis as a revelation and provides additional discussion of addiction and treatment.
article or webpageThe Irish TimesThe captivating class clown of commentary Contains Feherty’s descriptions of severe depression, social withdrawal, difficulty getting out of bed, physical pain and hallucinations.
article or webpageAwful Announcing, 2016David Feherty talks candidly about his depression and meds to Real Sports Contains Feherty’s comments about psychiatric medication and his warning about abruptly stopping treatment.
profile or biographyGolf Digestarticle or webpage
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about David Feherty and their experiences.
- The Power of Positive IdiocyBook · David Feherty, 2010
A collection of Feherty’s essays and commentary on golf, aging, family, addiction and other parts of his life, giving a broader sense of his voice and perspective beyond his television work.
- Somewhere in Ireland, A Village Is Missing an IdiotBook · David Feherty
A collection of Feherty’s writing from Golf Magazine, Golf Monthly and Golfonline.com, reflecting the irreverent style that became central to his career as a commentator and writer.
- FehertyInterview · Golf Channel, 2011–2020
Feherty’s long-running interview series, which combined extended conversations with prominent figures in sports and entertainment with his own humour, personal stories and commentary.