I admit it... over the last 12 months, I have beaten on John Daly as much as anyone in the media. I’ve tried in every way I know to help John in his fight against alcoholism (my belief) and mediocrity. I’ve said John needs help, John needs someone to intervene. John needs Tournament Directors to “back-off”, to understand, that yes, John is a huge draw to the attendance numbers of their golf tournament, but as long as they keep giving Daly exemptions, there is no reason for John to do what he needs to do. Stop drinking - fix his body - get into shape physically and mentally - find his swing, a swing that won him two majors - find his desire to succeed - play his way back into tournaments rather than being given a spot. Through all that, John has taken everything. John actually sees himself as doing nothing wrong and, to a certain extent, I agree. There is nothing wrong with Daly going to a Hooters tent, sitting for 4 hours and signing autographs for the patrons. There is nothing wrong with John asking Coach Gruden to carry his bag for a few holes. There is nothing WRONG with any of this. Except... it is all happening at the wrong time. Daly needs to focus on two things and two things only... stop drinking and his golf game. Golf is what got him celebrity status. That is why I keep asking Directors to leave him out. Let him decide if it is what he wants. If not, I honestly believe that John Daly will be the John Candy of the 21st Century.
Today, however, I have a much bigger problem. I have never known Daly to lie. I know he might move the truth a little to make himself look better. But through all his “stuff,” he has never been caught in a real lie. He is an alcoholic, we know that, and alcoholics tend to “broaden” the truth. But, with that in mind, let us assume for a minute that John is telling the truth when he said, "I just wish Butch would have called me and let me know he was dropping me." If John is telling the truth about Butch Harmon, then I have lost all respect for Mr. Harmon. When did it happen that a teacher of the game became bigger than the player? What gives this man, a paid employee of John Daly, the right to discuss things with the media? I believe that John’s drinking hurts Butch and a number of his brothers, but going to the media without speaking to John?
I always knew Harmon had a big ego, but my gosh! Throwing his employer under the bus: how wrong is that? Over the last four years, Hank Haney has taken plenty of grief from the media about Tiger’s swing and about his approach to the media. Stevie Williams might be the most hated caddy on the tour. I think they are both incredibly solid human beings. They allow their player to do the talking. They are always there for him, standing “right behind him” where they belong. Butch Harmon has used the John Daly situation to make himself look like the winner. Harmon was wrong.
How you would like to be Stephen Ames? He is becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the PGA Tour. First, he makes comments about Tiger Woods and then Tiger thrashes him 9 and 8, giving him no respect. Now, my sources are telling me that there are major changes coming to the Skins Game. Stephen won last year and would automatically get exemption into 2008. But, rumor has it that after years of falling more and more off the radar, The Skins game wants to change the players. They are looking at inviting the Ryder Cup and The President Cup Captains. That could take a bunch of money out of Ames' pocket. And also let him know, “He gets no respect.”
This is a great time to be a part of The Golfers Home. We're starting a new TopGolf League. We have the outing Monday at Trophy Club. We have our getaway, June 20-22 to Horseshoe Bay, a resort with three golf courses as good as any in America. And, we have our trip to Augusta. In recent days we’ve added outings to Tierra Verde and Gentle Creek Country Club. You need to bring your friends and family, and have a good time.
