Daly: Lucky to live life as a ‘senior’
In many ways, not much has changed since John Daly came from nowhere to win the 1991 PGA Championship. He turned 50 on Thursday, starting a new chapter in his life and career and saying he has found something new: peace.
The man who still smokes Marlboros, drinks alcohol, gambles and lovingly pats his big belly as if to taunt the Grim Reaper and appears happy as he hits the halfcentury mark. And next weekend at The Woodlands Country Club outside of Houston, Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) is scheduled to make his debut on the Champions Tour, reserved for golfers 50 and older.
He will be the only tour member with two major championships, three children, four ex-wives and, seemingly, nine lives.
“I beat a lot of odds,” Daly told USA Today Sports this week. “I never thought I’d get to the Champions Tour.”
During a wide-ranging interview conducted in Dardanelle, where Daly spends about four weeks a year, he addressed topics that included:
Suicidal thoughts. “I was going to drive my Mercedes off a cliff.”
His sex life. “Look, you’re loyal to me … then I won’t cheat on you.”
The state of the PGA Tour. “It’d be cool to see some of the guys cut up a little bit and have some fun.”
Sobriety. “I don’t want people judging me just because I’m drinking again.”
His future in golf. “I’m still competitive as hell and I always will be.”
For a guy whose life often looked so messy, Daly revealed something that might come as a surprise given his unruly behavior on and off the golf course.
“I’m an OCD neat freak,” he said. “I can’t stand messes. I make my bed every morning. Laundry. I do it all.”
Less surprising: Once the owner of an infamous mullet, Daly said he usually cuts his own hair.
“I hate getting haircuts,” he said. “It’s like going to the damn dentist, man. I can’t stand it. It takes time. They got those grooming machines, just use them. You cut your hair perfect every time.”