Is John Daly Done For?
I just got my first-ever shipment of Loudmouth Golf pants here at The Rock, and ever since I’ve been thinkin’ about Big John Daly, who’s famously worn a pair or two of the brightly-colored golf slacks.
I remember being amazed like everyone else when he came outta nowhere to steal the ’91 PGA Championship and the spotlight with his oversized drives, belly, and personality. Hollywood couldn’t have scripted a better story: he was the final alternate and carded a first-round 69 – without a practice round!
More wins came over the next few years, including another major with the ’95 British Open. Unfortunately, John won exactly ZERO events from 1996 to 2001 and started becoming better known for off-course antics and incidents like these:
- May 1993 – DQ’d from the Kemper Open for disruptive behavior following a poor first round.
- Early 1994 – Suspended from the first 12 tourneys and told to seek treatment for alcoholism.
- March 2008 – Denounced by swing coach Butch Harmon for his drinking and lack of commitment to golf.
- October ’08 – Picked up in a Winston-Salem Hooters parking lot after a night of heavy drinking.
Now he’s 43 years old and once again trying to pick up the pieces of what could have been a remarkable career. But he shot a personal-low 88 at this year’s Buick Open and began publicly talking about retiring. I can’t help but think maybe that’s what’s best for him in the long run – get out of the public eye and settle down at a resort course down South or something.
Personally, I wish the man the best and would love to see him pull it together. Tom Watson showed the world at Turnberry that older golfers can still compete, so the only thing holding John Daly back now is himself. Here’s hopin’ he shocks the golf world again with a major victory and not another court case.
-Scratch
PS: Using Twitter? Follow @RockBottomGolf and @PGA_JohnDaly to stay up-to-date!
Right now I think it’s confidence, and a -6 under 66 start should do wonders for man who has a ton of talent. I identify when Medium Sized John because to me, he’s the closest thing a PGA Pro can be to a regular guy. I can see him hanging out and being a friend of mine and my friends if he lived here. I think the guy is great, and does wonders for Golf when he’s playing. Imagine him winning next years British Open, what a story that would be!
*** Response From Scratch ***
You said it! John Daly really is an Everyman just about everyone can get behind and root for, even if he might not be welcomed by all at Bushwood.
http://www.news-record.com/
Don’t count him out quite yet….
*** Response From Scratch ***
Thanks for the link Jeff, hope he can pull off a comeback.
John just needs to get healthy. I think he’s lost to much weight to fast .I also think he has to much on his plate at one time. He should play the european tour for a year or two ..and that’s all. Just concentrate on that.
I agree with you Scratch. Big John’s talent is amazing.
And don’t forget what he’s been thru with his surgery to lose weight, it is hard on your body. It basically starves you half to death. I’ve actually seen people who have had these surgeries lose their hair from lack of nutrition. So couple lack of energy from the weight loss with a bodies center of gravity changing every day from the weight loss and you get a player who is not up to par physically and a golf swing that is inconsistent and a moving target as the weight comes off.
I still root for Big John, and if he can pull this off he will regain my complete respect…
Don’t be wishing for him to retire in the South! We have a bad-enough reputation as rednecks! I say, go west, young man. His future (and wardrobe) looks bright out there in LA-LA land.
Daly is done for, he has shown that for some time. His trials and tribulations are of his own making, he is just a common drunk and has been, the world is full of them.
Love him or not, John Daly is an asset to the PGA. What Butch Harmon did to Daly was wrong. He cost Daly millions with his public comments. Harmon had a right to back out of his relationship with Daly ,but, not in that manner.John Daly has created a tremendous amount of revenue for the PGA tour as well as his sponsors. Where are they now? Right now if Woods or Mickelson arent in the mix, nobody watches ! Daly deserves more support from the tour and if he goes across the pond Its the tours loss!!!!