The recent resurgence of troubled John Daly on the European tour is yet another chapter in the up and down, soap opera of a life that Daly has lived. Prior to this week’s missed cut Daly had played well in two consecutive European Tour events. He tied for 31st at the Open de Espana and then shot a final round 66 to sneak in for a tie for second place in the BMW Italian Open. Daly’s missed cut at this week’s Irish Open should be discounted. He was a victim of the draw and had to play the second round in torturous wind and rain that did in Paddy Harrington as well. Prior to playing on the European Tour, if Daly could get into a tournament he usually missed the cut or withdrew for any number of reasons. Tournaments were hard to come by in the United States since he was suspended for six months by the PGA tour. He was suspended for an accumulation of behavior that was illegal, embarrassing and viewed as detrimental to the PGA tour. He was forced to find other ways to make a living like selling shirts and autographs out of his mobile home at the Masters. Fortunately he has found a home, temporary as it is, on the European Tour and he has flourished. He has lost weight and seems more relaxed and comfortable. The more laid back, less pressure of the European Tour as compared to the media circus Daly lives in on the PGA Tour fits Daly well.
John Daly burst on to the American golf scene as a mullet wearing, qualifier to win the 1991 PGA Championship. Back then you had to love him. How could you not? He was a no-name Cinderella who wins a major and hits tape measure long balls. He played fast on the course and faster off. We all bought into the Daly persona and he did his best to destroy any good will he had earned. After each episode of trouble, we all would start rooting for John again. All of us were hoping that he had turned himself around and would control his demons and stay on the tour. Year after year, John found new ways to sink deeper and deeper to new lows. He has lost dozens of sponsors over the years and always found a way to bite the hands that were feeding him. We wanted him to make his headlines on the course, not in bars, parking lots and jails. Daly had so much talent he won two Majors with a training regimen of beers, smokes, wings, and a coach named Jack Daniels. While other pros practiced their swing, Daly spent too much time self-destructing.
Maybe this time Big John has turned the right corner. Maybe this time he is on the right track. Maybe this time will be the last time John has to come back. Maybe the dose of tough love from the PGA Tour helped get John focused on getting his life back together. If Daly can keep himself from self-destructing and continue to play consistent golf he’ll have pulled off one of the great comebacks in golf.
