Feb
04
John Daly disgraces himself and the PGA Tour once again
Little John pulled another stunt Friday at the FBR in Phoenix. It was bad enough that he begged off of the Wednesday pro-am, citing illness. This, after a week where the Golf Channel has aired ads for the new Daly reality show where he tells the world how much he hates practice rounds.
After a 3-over par 74 in the first round of the FBR, he shoots a 4-over par 40 on his first nine holes Friday, then bolts for the parking lot at the turn. His official response was that he was still ill but don’t you believe it. Many observers on the spot reported that he was fuming while practically sprinting to his vehicle. Let me ask a question here. Is getting mad what you would call a normal response to illness? No, I didn’t think so.
There are many out there who are fond of Daly because he “keeps it real". What he has learned to do is put his problems out there for everyone to see so they feel sorry for him. And it gives him a built-in excuse every time he does something unprofessional like this. These same people pay their hard-earned money specifically to watch him perform on the golf course. And this is the thanks he gives them. Next time he says “I do it for the fans” - which he frequently does - remember this nonsense.
The PGA Tour bears some responsibility for these outrages. The Tour rule normally is: no pro-am, no tournament. He shouldn’t have been allowed to play in the first place. And they could help alter his behavior by penalizing him severely when he withdraws mid-round as he has done many, many times before. What does a rich man care about a piddly little fine? How about a suspension instead? This guy is a big baby and the Tour is like a parent that spoils their child by never saying no.
Shame on them both.
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21 comments
I think that when Daly charges into the gallery to pick a fight with a fan, the tour will take action. However, his anger seems to be directed inward, so that probably won't happen. I think that "disgraces" is a pretty strong word. He is a wild animal, marches to his own drummer's beat, follows the road less traveled, and all the other applicable phrases. In the end, if Finchem (the tightest tush around) feels compelled to act, it will be behind closed doors, and not played out in the media.
02/04/06 @ 23:52
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Come on Shanks, cut Big John some slack. How would you feel if your third wife just got shipped off to the slammer? He could have walked away at the start of the tournament for good reason and nobody would have said a word.
Hey he left to take the babysitter home.
Hey he left to take the babysitter home.
02/05/06 @ 00:03
Comment from: David [Visitor]
I bet he didn't even want to start at the FBR Open because of all the stuff with his wife that is presently happening, and that he tried to withdraw earlier but was denied his request.
Then when he game went really sour, that was the final straw for him.
He shouldn't be playing golf at the moment; he should be getting his head together at home. But he'd already entered a string of season-opening tournaments, leaving him in an awkward situation.
Then when he game went really sour, that was the final straw for him.
He shouldn't be playing golf at the moment; he should be getting his head together at home. But he'd already entered a string of season-opening tournaments, leaving him in an awkward situation.
02/05/06 @ 08:23
Bull. Had he tried to withdraw because of all the personal turmoil, do you really think that request would be denied? Players withdraw in every tournament and they have replacements waiting for the call.
Disgrace is a polite word for what I really wanted to say. This guy has a long history of this childish crap whenever things aren't going well. Stop molly-coddling this big crybaby, it doesn't help him at all. Hold him accountable for acting like a professional and an adult.
Disgrace is a polite word for what I really wanted to say. This guy has a long history of this childish crap whenever things aren't going well. Stop molly-coddling this big crybaby, it doesn't help him at all. Hold him accountable for acting like a professional and an adult.
02/05/06 @ 14:39
Comment from: David [Visitor]
Shanks, I wasn't impressed with his behaviour - not even close. And like you said, it's not the first time John has done something like this.
But, he's a troubled man at the moment. (Nah, forget the excuses: he's rich and shouldn't miss that stupid gold-digging bitch too much. Millionaires like him don't know the meaning of the phrase 'personal problems.')
The point I was trying to get over, however, was that - surely he didn't want to play in FBR (or last week, for that matter). In fact, that much was obvious. So why didn't he withdraw sooner?
I can't understand it at all.
But, he's a troubled man at the moment. (Nah, forget the excuses: he's rich and shouldn't miss that stupid gold-digging bitch too much. Millionaires like him don't know the meaning of the phrase 'personal problems.')
The point I was trying to get over, however, was that - surely he didn't want to play in FBR (or last week, for that matter). In fact, that much was obvious. So why didn't he withdraw sooner?
I can't understand it at all.
02/05/06 @ 15:28
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: David [Visitor]
But, he's a troubled man at the moment. (Nah, forget the excuses: he's rich and shouldn't miss that stupid gold-digging bitch too much. Millionaires like him don't know the meaning of the phrase 'personal problems.')"
Hey David his wife might be a convicted felon and con artist, but how do you know she is a gold-digger? Maybe she loves the big guy. Who knew?
But, he's a troubled man at the moment. (Nah, forget the excuses: he's rich and shouldn't miss that stupid gold-digging bitch too much. Millionaires like him don't know the meaning of the phrase 'personal problems.')"
Hey David his wife might be a convicted felon and con artist, but how do you know she is a gold-digger? Maybe she loves the big guy. Who knew?
02/05/06 @ 20:06
Withdrawing last week & this week are mature decisions that most of the adult world would make. But this is Daly we're talking about. Being responsible is beyond his capacity at present.
My big gripe is that this crybaby always talks about his fans meaning soooo much to him. Then he walks out mid-round on some of his fans who have paid money to follow him around. Yes, he was out of the tournament but how hard could it be to play 9 more holes of golf to entertain those paying customers? They don't mind too much if he misses the cut - they just want to watch him play. As poorly as Arnold Palmer has been playing for the last decade, do you think the King would have quit mid-round? Now there's a man who genuinely appreciates his legions of fans.
My big gripe is that this crybaby always talks about his fans meaning soooo much to him. Then he walks out mid-round on some of his fans who have paid money to follow him around. Yes, he was out of the tournament but how hard could it be to play 9 more holes of golf to entertain those paying customers? They don't mind too much if he misses the cut - they just want to watch him play. As poorly as Arnold Palmer has been playing for the last decade, do you think the King would have quit mid-round? Now there's a man who genuinely appreciates his legions of fans.
02/05/06 @ 23:32
Comment from: dano [Visitor]
everybody has a vaild point about john and his turmoil on and off the golf course, but that is what makes john ---john!!. Its not just the big drive that gets people watching its also the next "tragic trailer story" In case you missed it amature golf is not a gentleman's game anymore, it consists of disfunctional alcholics in jeans on a power trip.
this latest incident is just another example of what the average weekend warrior feeds of off because (minius the money)is their story.
02/06/06 @ 01:35
Shanks, are you a fan of Daly? I can't tell. If you are, I could agree with you to a point. If you're not a fan, why whine about it?
02/06/06 @ 09:41
I could never be a fan of someone who just doesn't care. Blessed with as much talent as anybody, all he does is show up and play. It is quite amazing that he can play as well as he sometimes does since he puts absolutely nothing into his game. We can only imagine how good he would be if had 1/4 of the dedication that most top players have. (IMO he could routinely challenge Tiger.) What a waste.
02/06/06 @ 11:31
Comment from: Jackson [Visitor]
Hey Shanks--How about a blog celebrating rookie J.B. Holmes and his dominating performance at the FBR. Here's a small town Kentucky boy who has reached the $1 million mark faster than anyone in history, hits the ball further than Daly and doesn't have any of the nagging personal issues/vices that have plagued Daly throughout his career. His future looks bright and his go for it style should make him a fan favorite for years to come. We've heard from Bangkok Al about what a jerk Phil is, RonMon has turned fashion designer on us and Baldwin is still going after the winless wonder Michelle Wie. I leave it to you to talk about what really matters in golf, winning.
02/06/06 @ 12:29
Comment from: Patrick Gallagher [Visitor]
It's time to lighten up Shanks. Yeah- obviously the guy does some unusual and/or inappropriate things occasionally but that and other things are what many people find entertaining in him. Your rant almost seems somewhat bitter. Perhaps if you are so perfect you should call the PGA and offer to take his spot on the tour. I'm sure they would be very excited to you out there.
02/06/06 @ 17:30
Comment from: Jon [Visitor]
I think Shanks' point is that Daly walked off the course in the middle of the round when there were fans following him. It is not too much to ask Daly to finish the round or at least WD in a more appropriate manner. He is going through a difficult times and everyone recognizes that. But he could have been nicer to his fans who are afterall paying for his comfortable lifestyle.
02/06/06 @ 18:15
Can you tell who the Daly fans are by the responses? This guy has figured out how to get away with anything. The responders want ME to lighten up. Unbelievable! Got a question for you. Would a Rolling Stones fan be justifiably pissed if Mick Jagger walked out halfway through the set? They could still listen to the rest of the band.
02/07/06 @ 08:58
Comment from: Jackson [Visitor]
The way they sounded at the SuperBowl, hell I would be happy if the whole band walked off in the middle of the set. Time to pack it in guy's. As far as Daly is concerned, do people really still come out to the course just to see John? He is a joke and a fat, lazy, talent wasting one at that. He reaks of Cheetos, Diet Coke and Marlboros. His claim to fame, his great distance is no longer an anomoly. There are a dozen players who can hit by him now and have the common courtesy to finish what they started. I never really understood his common man appeal, unless you have a mullett, were married to a drug dealer and money launderer and have a serious drinking problem, where's the connection. You want to route for a real comman man hero take a look at J.B. Holmes, hits the ball a mile, comes from Kentucky for you southern fans and as far as I know doesn't have any major vices.
02/07/06 @ 11:23
Minutes before you post, I took a cue from your previous post and wrote a little blog on JB. Good idea.
02/07/06 @ 11:55
Comment from: Greg Whorton [Visitor]
I was in Phoenix at John's bus on Wednesday and the Tour doctor was there and John was getting an I.V.
Doctors don't usually give you an I.V. just for the heck of it!
John is a great guy, give him time, he will play better!
Greg
Johndalysgolf.com
Doctors don't usually give you an I.V. just for the heck of it!
John is a great guy, give him time, he will play better!
Greg
Johndalysgolf.com
02/21/06 @ 13:35
If the pro-am miss was legit, I stand corrected. But that is still no excuse to walk out mid-round on Friday. Somehow, I suspect that had Daly been in contention, he would've managed to "tough it out".
02/21/06 @ 15:43
Comment from: BT [Visitor]
John's got money, but he can't buy security with it. It appears that he is asking for help by his actions, but is too full of himself to ask for it. I just wish he could get in touch with a good psychologist, have a good cry, and get back on the road to winning.
07/04/07 @ 00:27
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor] 
The man's life nowadays is good for one thing - an example for young pros of what NOT to do.
07/09/07 @ 09:32
Comment from: Lester Hinson [Visitor]
Nessmith said it right, first: http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/mark.nessmith/2005/09/08/john_daly_a_funny_loveable_buffoon
07/09/07 @ 10:07
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