David Feherty made quite the claim about Greg Norman during the final round broadcast of the first LIV Golf League event of 2023.
That claim? That Norman was probably the most “recognisable athlete on the planet” back in the 80s and 90s.
There is of course a chance that this was simply a mere slip of the tongue from Feherty and he omitted the word ‘Australian’ at the start of that sentence.
But still.
Viewers were watching an approach shot from Patrick Reed when Feherty said:
“He changed the game, that man did. Back in the 80s and 90s he was probably the most recognisable athlete on the planet.” (video below)
Comments on the clip included:
“There is no period of time in which Greg Norman was the most recognised athlete on the planet.2
“This pretty much cements LIV is entirely satirical at best and cannot possibly be taken the least bit seriously. Feherty is objectively wrong, and even worse, he knows it.”
“My lord @Fehertwit is such an embarrassment.”
“I’ve loved Feherty for years (it was easy to). Sad that I have zero respect for him now.”
“I’ve always loved Feherty. Disappointed”
“I have no regrets at all”
Feherty, 64, joined the LIV Golf League as their lead play-by-play announcer alongside Arlo White and Jerry Foltz last August.
His departure from NBC Sports and Golf Channel did come as a bit of a surprise.
Speaking shortly after joining the breakaway tour, Feherty even called out a number of LIV players for what he viewed as a ‘BS’ claim.
A number of PGA Tour players offered a myriad of reasons for departing. Family. 54 holes. Lighter schedules.
Nonsense.
It was all about money, Feherty said.
Before the first LIV Golf League event of 2023 in Mexico, which was won by Charles Howell III, Feherty insisted that he had absolutely no regrets about his decision.
Feherty told Golf Digest of his decision to leave NBC:
“I felt I couldn’t say what I was thinking for fear someone, somewhere would be offended. Also, the money was terrific.”
He added: “Believe me, I have no regrets at all.”
Going forward, Feherty said his goal is to, ‘P*** off at least one viewer per week, but I’m hoping for more.”
Feherty added:
“I’m just ready to get to work. I’ve been sitting around way too long, and I need to be busy. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Catching up on the @livgolf_league broadcast (no spoilers!) against my doctor’s orders. I was rewarded with Feherty saying Greg Norman changed the game and was probably the most recognizable athlete on the planet in the 80s and 90s. Gotta feed the Commishes ego! pic.twitter.com/BO7VjiGxwe
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) February 26, 2023
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
I think it’s pretty funny how people can go from liking someone like D.F., and because he made a business decision and had felt limited on what he could say, that they now dislike or can’t respect him. I wonder if that enters these small minds the next time they leave a company for higher wages and better working conditions? Then again, I am guessing they will also give players like Tiger and Thomas a pass for their indiscretions..So they really don’t have a lot of credibility themselves.
Éric , DF is like Somme of the Liv players once loved but now the jokes they are PASSE…!
I think Feherty was right. For a few years, the Shark phenom was The Big Thing. In golf, he was King for a few short years, right? After Johnny Miller, befor Mickelson? Shark blond handsome big smile. Before Michael Jordan of Chicago Bulls, Gretzky, and in baseball, I can’t think of one who dominated outside the ballpark. There were too many famous baseballers .
The thing about golf is you are away from home a lot more than other professional sports. Baseball you might be gone for a week and a half or two and then you are home for a couple of weeks. Football & Basketball about the same. Golf you are continuing to travel, the PGA makes you play a certain amount of tournaments and you don’t come home to a home course. Like most parents you want to see your kids grow up but it is tuff to do that. LIV has given them that opportunity, can’t blame them for taking advantage.
It’s all about the almighty dollar when they already swim in cash. Their moral compasses indicate precession towards pure greed over guidance.
But you’re ok with the pga playing in China and the uae why?? Because they are labeled PGA? How is that moral compass different?