Ernie Els blasts David Feherty, calls him a "shock jock"
David Feherty has always been one to push the envelope with his unique brand of humor and commentary. Sometimes, that's gotten him in trouble, but most times it's a breath of fresh air in a golf world that's usually defined by a code of gentlemanly honor and politically correct paralysis. Feherty's brand is stronger than ever with his work for CBS and hosting his self-titled show on the Golf Channel, but that didn't prevent one golfer from taking a shot at the outlandish announcer.
In the July issue of Golf Magazine, three time major winner Ernie Els blasts Feherty for events that transpired all the way back in March at the Tavistock Cup. If you have no idea what the Tavistock Cup is, don't feel too bad. It's an event that places golfers on teams according to the ridiculously rich and exclusive country club they belong to and is closed to the public (as any event involving ridiculously rich and exclusive country club types should be). However, the event is televised by the Golf Channel and David Feherty served to loosen up the crowd and the golfers with introductions on the first tee more fit for a comedy roast. You can watch those introductions below, most of them are legitimately laugh out loud funny. Ernie Els is the second golfer introduced...
Even though Els is seen laughing and smiling on the first tee after Feherty's jokes, he didn't take too kindly to those comments about his putting. Els hasn't won a tournament since 2010 and has only won three times on the PGA Tour since 2004. Els' putting woes have been at the center of his struggles, especially earlier this year. Just before the Tavistock Cup in March, Els missed two four-footers in the last 3 holes to lose the Transitions Championship and cost himself a spot in the Masters. He hasn't forgotten. Here's what Ernie told Golf Magazine:
"I've known David for a long time, but for him to have said that was totally shocking and -- well, not out of character, because he tries to shock the world all the time, but it was a low blow," Els told Golf Magazine. "It wasn't a gentlemanly think to do. I wouldn't have done that.
"It made the whole group very uncomfortable for the first few holes -- it was a very s-----y feeling," Els continued. “It wasn't a very classy move, but then again it's how he makes his living these days. He's kind of a shock jock.”
"I'm still trying to win tournaments and majors, and the people who are criticizing you, their life journey was to [play golf for a living] and now they're a journalist," Els said. "I shouldn't take it seriously, but you can't help but take it personally. If you're going to take the piss out of me, fine, but don't do it with a microphone in your hand and in front of the whole world."
Sure, it may be a sensitive subject for Els, but I would have thought the "emergency frontal lobotomy" line would have been more offensive. Besides, how can a guy with the nickname "The Big Easy" be so distraught over an announcer's jokes? For his part, Feherty offered an apology saying, "I gave everybody a hard time at the Tavistock Cup, and I did it in proportion to how much affection I have for the person. If that backfired with Ernie, I unreservedly apologize, because I love the guy."
Els registered his first Top 10 in a major in two years at last week's US Open, but he's got to be a little mentally stronger in this case. This is what David Feherty does, he's equal parts commentator and comedian, and he's good for the game of golf... even if it ruffles a few feathers from time to time.
[Golf.com]
Have to agree with Ernie on this one.Feherty is funny no doubt but there's a time and a place for humour and this was the wrong place.He sometimes dont know when to zip it.
" was stunned that ESPN gave top billing to previewing Thursday night's Bulls/Heat game seeing as how it was being televised on TNT. If it was an ESPN game, I'd expect the Bristol hype machine to be in full force... but almost 10 minutes previewing a game on Turner? It was peculiar to say the least. "
Why would you be surprised by this? Yes, the game is on Turner, but, ESPN is a major NBA partner, so, promoting the NBA "floats all boats" as they say... even if this game is on Turner... most likely Bulls/Heat will be the Eastern Conference finals (Which I think are on ESPN), and one of those teams are probably in the finals, which is all on ABC. Which, goes back to why they don't promote the NHL.... because they don't have the NHL, and, honestly, the NHL doesn't drive people to watch SportsCenter. If ESPN thought covering the NHL for 15 minutes would make more people watch SportsCenter... they would do it. SC isn't a "hard news" program though... it is a program for ESPN to tell you what they think the "average fan" want to know about the "sports world". They don't ever talk about Arena Football, or Indoor Lacrosse, or College Women's Water Polo, because the amount of people who care is so low it doesn't even register. The NHL, whether fair or not, probably registers at about the 4-5% of the show that they give it.
