John Daly is back. Well, virtually anyway he can be found at http://twitter.com/PGA_JohnDaly sometimes near The Masters at the range practicing and doing the occasional DQ drive through (via twitter: tastiest “Blizzard” choc pnt butter cup can only finish a small….god im gonna miss those when im in Europe).
So he’s on his way back…and for us he can’t be participating in a tour event soon enough. While some will be reluctant to give Daly another chance and may needlessly waggle a punishing finger at him to remind us of his struggles with booze, gambling and questionable choices in general. Those that do miss the overall point.
Daly, for all his faults, is good for golf and aside from Tiger Woods he is probably the single most significant persona that could drive measurable audience growth to the PGA just by teeing it up (and of course assuming he gets on TV).
Why do we think Daly is so desperately needed in golf? When Daly broke onto the scene with his Cinderella win at the ‘91 PGA Championship, he fascinated us because he broke the mold of the cotton shirt/khakis crowd that dominated the Tour scene. In short, he was no Jeff Sluman.
Today, the attire is sharper, the physiques more impressive and the names more worldly. But most of the vanilla blandness remains. J. Lindeberg shirts and huge shiny belt buckles are as common now as Dockers khakis were in 1991.
But, with respect to the great players today, don’t we all deserve a little more than the Chad Campbell’s and Justin Rose’s limited charges at greatness? Don’t we deserve some sustained drama and humanity? I think we do. And Daly if nothing else is full-on human.
Could there be a better story of Daly returning to the Tour and realizing some measure of success? Perhaps a Major win is pure fantasy…a Tour win a reach…but just being there, and if he can be competitive, will make for a great chapter in his long and varied journey. Not to mention a sure-fire way to see ratings jump for the PGA.
Why does the PGA need a shot in the arm? I mean Tiger’s back no? True. But look at our POV here as to why the PGA can’t keep leaning on Tiger to prop itself up. To the extent that the PGA tour is competing for entertainment dollars against movies, video games and a million other distractions today, who (again aside from Tiger) has the inherent ability to be more entertaining than Daly?
- Jon Gruden on the bag?
- All my exes wear Rolexes?
- Grip it and rip it?
Don’t tell me Daly isn’t entertainment.
Then add in the fact that Daly brings the game to a wider audience. I guarantee somewhere in Arkansas or Missouri there is a kid at a muni who is playing a 9 hole goat track because John Daly inspired them (or their Mom/Dad) that you don’t have to be a pressed collar, silver-spoon with Jr., the III or Esq. in your name to win a major (or 2).
Daly has undoubtedly inspired, and at times broken the hearts of many golfers. We’re pulling for him to give us a little more inspiration and in doing so, giving himself one more shot at fulfilling his own dream.
Hack is a pen name for a marketing and media relations professional who enjoys blogging as a means to pursue his passion for his favorite sport – golf. He represents the yin to his collaborator’s yang. He doesn’t so much play golf, as the game plays him to his delight and likely demise. Follow his perspective on Twitter at @
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I completely agree that a competitive JD is a WIN-WIN-WIN. It’s a win for him, a HUGE win for the PGA, and a win for golfers. I think JD has probably inspired many to hit the links and realize it’s not just for the Biffs and Buffys of the world.
I enjoy a little entertainment on the course. That’s why it’s fun to watch Mr. Mickelson hit it out of the cacti right-handed. I also enjoy seeing him sport a white belt every now and then.
Now, here’s what I would love to see: JD back on the tour, making cuts, and donning a white belt on that new bod, make that a purple belt–I haven’t seen that one yet.
I think every golfer in America relates to John Daly by way of long ball aspirations, but few can sympathize with his trail of tears.
John Daly gave away most of his winnings from the 91 PGA Championship, because he has a good heart and his intentions are good. Unfortunately John fell victim to the fame game and never realized his golf game. He has continued to give, but has given more than money of himself. I think John is an incredible athelete trapped inside a man with no direction, that wants desperately to do something good that HE can be proud of. My wish for John is for a full recovery in his life before a recovery on the golf course. A human life is so much more important than any game.
If John does happen to come back a few pounds lighter, I think that it will probably affect his long game and his mental attitude in competitions as well, but if learns to play with the life lessons he has learned, John Daly can go out in style….as a winner.
I had a long conversation with John yesterday and he has a very positive attitude as far as his present situation. He has lost 49 pounds and has worked on his game with great determination preparing for his return to tournament play. He told me this series of tournaments in Europe will help him to get where needs to be. He plans to play 4 different events and return to the USA and start playing on the PGA Tour in Memphis at the St.Jude Classic.
There is a lot of media about John and his problems, but there is little said about his contributions to charities and helping the kids. I guess some of the news media only want to work beneath John. If you want to see the positive things concerning John, here are a few sites, check them out. http://www.johndalybbq.com, http://www.johndalybarbeque.com, http://www.twitter.com/johndalybbq
John and I have a company that we own and I find him to be a great person, despite the fact he makes mistakes, like we all do, I just don’t wind up on CNN.
John has always been one of my favourites on the PGA. Your post has really captured why it is so important that he make his way back.
I hope and pray that he can sort out the problems in his life. I am looking forward to watching him just have fun with the game again.
Let’s just hope the ‘lapband’ doesn’t ruin him! Nice site guys! Best one I’ve seen so far.
sorry, forgot the link to this john daly story:
http://ptothejizzle.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-daly.html
Casino 1241630527
Casino 1241630527
Yes. Great post. Quite ironic really that the PGA Tour have banned one of their biggest drawcards (if only temporarily). You just have to look at the buzz around Daly at Wentworth to see his influence. And 3 chip-ins yesterday had the gallery enthralled. Also, anyone who has struck up a conversation with him on Twitter could not help but be impressed. Here is one example:
http://www.twitrgolfers.com/profiles/blogs/john-daly-twitters-up-a-storm