“I’m not one of these Church-goers but you really don’t need to go to Church to believe in our Father.” Not Scottie Scheffler, but John Daly said this on his Instagram post. Daly, seated beside his friend and country music singer, Lee Greenwood, opened up about Christianity and the need for Americans to bring Faith back into our family and community. 

Daly knew this would raise some eyebrows. His past ‘vices’, gambling, binge drinking, etc, were not well received by some. But don’t judge a book by its cover. The two-time major winner affirms that he is not your regular Sunday church guy, but he prays regularly. “I believe in the military. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ… I couldn’t care less about me; I’d rather pray for others,” Daly said while promoting the God Bless the USA Bible.

It’s a newly released version of King James’s Bible that takes its name from Greenwood’s eponymous patriotic anthem. But this one also has the Constitution, the First Amendment, and the Bill of Rights on the back. You can also find a handwritten note by Greenwood: ‘God Bless the USA’.

Both Daly and Greenwood believe there has been an erosion of Faith in American families. The way the country is heading doesn’t bode well for the future of this nation, the five-time PGA Tour winner believes. “Please get your faith back; this country needs your faith back,” John Daly urged the listeners. 

Although Daly has spoken about his faith before, this is likely the first time the 58-year-old has been so open about the need for this country to bring back the Christian ethos. But his past choices, and now his association with Greenwood’s version, sparked controversy. 

John Daly gets bashed right left and center

Before Daly, Greenwood partnered with former president President Donald Trump. The 78-year-old called the Bible his ‘favorite book’. Both Trump and Greenwood faced backlash from the media and netizens. Interestingly, Daly endorsed Trump for the presidency.

In a chat with Tucker Carlson, the two-time major winner said all on the Tour wanted ‘Daddy Trump back.’ But it’s the association of former POTUS with this Bible that landed him in trouble. “Wow used to like that guy, to see him shill for a grifter takes all the fun out,” one user tweeted. “This is F**KING hilarious & sad at the same time,” another lamented. 

However, some netizens were surprised to hear about the importance of faith from someone who has been known for indulging in activities like smoking and drinking. Notably, Daly addressed these allegations long back, in a 2005 interview with Golf Digest. Apologizing for not going to Church, the 58-year-old said he had a ‘one-on-one relationship with God.’ Nothing, however, changed the common perception. “I was hoping this was satire,” one of them joked. Another wrote, “Is this a SNL skit cause it’s gonna be real soon.” 

Funnily enough, one user referring to Daly’s endorsement deals with Hooters, quipped, “Available exclusively at your local Hooters.” Notably, his son, John Daly II, also has an NIL deal with Hooters. 

The John Daly-endorsed Bible comes at $59.99 on the official website. The price tag was also a cause of controversy. Moreover, not everyone was okay with the additions on the back of the Bible. Moreover, keeping in mind the backlash Greenwood received after making Trump the face of his marketing campaign, the reactions against John Daly were not out of the blue.