I’M NOT SCARED OF DYING, SAYS DALY

JOHN DALY admitted he is hoping for a miracle after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. The 1995 Open champion has had one bout of surgery but been warned there is a strong possibility the cancer will return. The hard-living 54-year-old American was being treated for kidney stones when he received the diagnosis. ‘The urologist told me there were no kidney stones but that I have bladder cancer,’ said Daly. ‘After I did the scan, I was about to sip a Diet Coke when he said, “Don’t drink anything. We have to get you back in there and get this cancer out of you”.’ Although the surgery went well, Daly was told there was a long road to recovery. ‘He said there was an 85 per cent chance the cancer comes back,’ Daly added. ‘So I’ve got to see him again in three months and they will probably have to cut it out again. Luckily for me they caught it early but this cancer doesn’t look like it goes away. We will just see what happens. Maybe there’s a miracle.’ There was certainly one of the sporting kind when he burst on the scene to win the 1991 US PGA Championship, after starting the week as seventh reserve. A complete unknown, Daly drove through the night to take his place following Nick Price’s withdrawal. With his monstrously long tee shots and hillbilly haircut, Daly made headlines around the world with his victory. Four years later, he showed touch and craft as well when he won the Open at St Andrews in Scotland. In an interview with the Golf Channel, Daly (left) displayed characteristic good humour as he vowed to change his bad habits. ‘I’m cutting way back on the Diet Coke and I’m counting minutes before I have a cigarette.’ Daly has been through four marriages and reckons he’s lost over £35million gambling. ‘I always tell people I’ve lived one hell of a life,’ he said. ‘I’m not scared of dying, and right now I’m still working and still living life. I accept the challenge, and I’m not frightened of it.’