Steff Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Daly Walks Tall Again After Nine Turbulent Years Mon Feb 16, 7:16 AM ET Add Sports - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Alex Miceli SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - John Daly (news) overcame personal demons and nearly nine years of turmoil Sunday to stand again as a PGA Tour winner. Daly's playoff victory in the $4.5 million Buick Invitational tasted all the sweeter as the larger-than-life golfer savored a first win on the tour since the 1995 British Open, his second major championship. "There's been a lot of ups and downs in those years," said the 37-year-old American whose turbulent career has been overshadowed by multiple divorce and problems with alcohol and gambling. Just six months ago, his fourth wife was indicted on federal drug and gambling charges only days after giving birth to his first son. "Geez, this is sweet," said Daly, as the tears welled. "I've never doubted. I knew I could win again. I've worked too hard not to." The victory added another twist to what is already an extraordinary life. In 1991, his was a fun-loving, feel-good story as he became one of the most unlikely major winners of all time. Daly's success at the PGA Championship (news - web sites) at Crooked Stick in 1991 came after he secured the ninth and final spot as an alternate when Nick Price (news) withdrew. Driving all night through Indiana, the big-hitting 25-year-old arrived to play a course he had never seen and beat the best in the world. DALY TURMOIL Daly went on to win the 1992 B.C. Open and the 1994 BellSouth Classic. But he was still living up to his nickname of "Wild Thing" after an arrest for assault on his second wife, treatment for addiction and a six-month suspension from the PGA Tour due to conduct at the Kapalua International. Winning his second major at St. Andrews, with his third wife on his arm, Daly was still a man in turmoil. Eventually it turned violent when he wrecked a hotel room during the 1997 Players Championship. Only his good friend and fellow professional Fuzzy Zoeller (news) could calm him down enough to get him to the hospital and medical attention. Four days later, Daly checked into the Betty Ford Clinic and weeks later filed for divorce. Over the next seven years, Daly's life changed little and his game had not returned to the pinnacle of 1991. He never earned more than $828,914 in a single season and through 13 years on the PGA Tour, Daly's total earnings were $4,493,189 through 2003. Sunday's win netted him $864,000. Last year he played in 22 events, missed the cut, withdrew or was disqualified 16 times and finished in the top 10 once with a tie for seventh at the Houston Open. Daly played some of his worst golf in 2003, missing the weekend in the last seven tour events. However he went to Korea and won and followed that up with victory at a non-tour event at Pebble Beach. "Any time you win a professional tournament these days, you get confidence and it carried over into this year a little bit," Daly said of the two wins. Coming into 2004, Daly believed he could win. While his final round Sunday did not show the best of his game with a double bogey, two bogeys and only one birdie, it did show that he could handle the pressure. "I wouldn't keep teeing it up on tour events if I didn't think I could win," Daly said. "I wish it would come easier. Your nerves don't react quite as well as when you're younger. I made some crucial putts coming down the stretch for pars." The unanswered question now is whether he can also win in the game of life. "Everybody has problems," he said. "It's just trying to deal with them in the right way. "I'm just going to enjoy this win. The hard work has paid off, especially at the end of last year when I won Korea. I got that boost and I played here pretty good the first two weeks. I'll keep working at it." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Golf's effect on FanOf14: :sleep lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 As happy as I am for his victory, I would be happier if his life straightened out. He has done some monumentally stupid things in his life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggio202 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 As happy as I am for his victory, I would be happier if his life straightened out. He has done some monumentally stupid things in his life. he's kinda golf's version of darryl strawberry...seems like a truly likable guy that just cant get his crap together... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 he's kinda golf's version of darryl strawberry...seems like a truly likable guy that just cant get his crap together... And a tremendous waste of talent. So many other people could have been blessed with his talent, and gotten something out of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elcaballo45 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I thought it was great, as well as most people that have went through such horrible times with drinking and drugs. This win will shut up all of those people that said he would never be on top again. I was cheering him on, maybe he could contend in a major this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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