John Daly is up to his same routine in the PODS Championship. Which means treating the PGA Tour like it’s a bigger joke than Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon’s YouTube video war.

Only, Daly’s not a paid comedian, just a paid clown brought in by sponsors (the only way he can still play) to do things like … well, what he did today. When the PODS (finally a tournament name that’s not longer than War & Peace, even if nobody knows what it means) went into a rain delay, Daly ducked into the Hooters Owl’s Nest corporate hospitality tent.

Of course, he did.

But that wasn’t enough. No, two and half hours later, Daly emerged when play began again with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his caddie. Daly and Gruden hooked up in the Hooters Nest and somehow the big lout convinced the NFL coach that this was a fine idea.

Think Gruden would ever allow Daly or any one else plucked off the street to work as his defensive backs coach during a game? Of course not. But Gruden treats his job seriously. Unlike Daly.

Look, if Boo Weekley pulled Gruden out of a hospitality tent and used him for seven holes as a caddie it would be amusing. But Weekley’s a full-fledged PGA Tour player who doesn’t have to depend on sponsors giving him exemptions he doesn’t deserve.

And his life’s not a train wreck of irresponsible, self-destructive behavior (give or take one airport incident).

Golf needs more humor sure. It just doesn’t need it from Daly, who’s thrown away more talent than Mickey Mantle even drunk away.

Of course, this incident will probably even pump up Daly’s already ridiculous appearance fees. He reportedly received 50 grand just for showing up at a Chicago golf show recently.

Is Tim Finchem ever going to step in?

Or is Daly like slow play, simply something to be ignored?

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