The occasionally warped mind and always sharp wit of David Feherty has created the best golf show on television – not that he’s ever seen it.
“I’ve never seen a single episode of the show,” Feherty said Tuesday as he plugged the second season of Feherty in a Golf Channel conference call. “It creeps me out watching myself. I have to take more medication than usual. It makes me genuinely nervous and sick to my stomach watching myself on television. It's something I should be able to get over, but I can't.”
He doesn't know what he's missing. Feherty will premiere on Monday night at 10 p.m. with the first of 18 hour-long episodes, this one featuring enigmatic golfer Sergio Garcia. The host said it will change opinions about the moody Spanish star and help everybody "think a little different" about Garcia.
“It was more or less an ambush,” Feherty said of his assault on Garcia’s home in southeastern Spain in a show that includes a little tennis, soccer and bull fighting.
“It was nice being back in Spain. It's one of my favorite countries,” Feherty said. “It’ll be nice when it’s finished.”
After a successful inaugural season, Golf Channel decided to expand the format of all episodes into one-hour shows.
“The subjects were so compelling it was difficult to get essence of what they said in 22 minutes of television,” Feherty said.
The extra time will allow the host to incorporate more elements including introducing some characters and correspondents “like what Jon Stewart does on The Daily Show.”
The 18 episodes – “I have 18 episodes? Seriously?” – will include another live show like the one he did from Indianapolis during Super Bowl week, this one likely taking place during Ryder Cup week in Chicago.
Asked whether he will ever land Tiger Woods for the show, Feherty said, “I would not rule out Tiger Woods. He hasn’t said no.”
His dream guest list would include Bill Murray, Jessica Beal, President Bush (he didn’t specify which one), Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.
“A lot of my wish list has been granted but I can’t tell you,” he said. “Tom Weiskopf, Jack and Tiger will do the show. It’s just finding the right place and time.”
Feherty originally debuted in June as Golf Channel’s most-watched original series in the network’s 17-year history. It has been called “a cross between Oprah Winfrey and Johnny Carson” by The New York Times. During the first season, he went one-on-one with golfing personalities including Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Tony Romo, Tom Watson, Charles Barkley and Don Cheadle.
Feherty’s sometimes blunt interview style is always engaging.
“I’m happy enough with what appears to be the truth and I don’t mean politically correct,” he said. "I'm not trying to make my subjects look foolish. I'm just interested in them as people."
He is unafraid to tackle uncomfortable topics with his trademark humor. His own mistakes in life make it easier for him to relate to subjects on the hot seat.
“I’m more comfortable asking awkward questions because I feel like and awkward person,” Feherty said. “My life is open book.”
Feherty’s show will follow the fourth season The Haney Project on Golf Channel’s Monday night primetime lineup. Golf instructor Hank Haney will work with four students instead of one this season – singer Adam Levine, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, chef Mario Batali and actress Angie Everhart. The foursome will eventually compete against each other in in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for the chance to win $100,000 for their charity of their choice.








