John Daly Once Reflected on Slumping to the ‘Lowest’ Point of His Career

John Daly is well-known for his larger-than-life personality. His antics on and off the course have triggered fans all over the world. While some of these actions have been swept under the rug, a few caused the PGA Tour to finally give up on Daly and suspend him.

How did John Daly react to getting suspended from the PGA Tour?

In December 2008, on the account of multiple, separate incidents that put Daly in the wrong spotlight, the PGA tour decided to debar the two-time Major winner for 6 months. Daly cried foul, stating he was caught in the wrong picture and the incident had brought him to the lowest point since he started playing the game.

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The 1995 Open Championship winner had also revealed his decision to ply his trade on the European Tour for the six months he was suspended. ‘This is the lowest I’ve ever been”, he said.

“There’s always light with me. Right now, my home tour is probably Europe. And I love the European Tour, I always have. But my home is the United States. That’s where I would rather play.”

Why did PGA ban Daly?

Though the PGA Tour didn’t divulge any disciplinary actions, Daly pointed out four incidents that occurred in 2008 which overshadowed his year. The first one was supposedly when he emerged from a Hooters hospitality tent with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach, Jon Gruden as his caddie, which prompted an angry reaction from then-coach, now sworn enemy, Butch Harmon.

Secondly, he was seen on regional television promoting a golf course, bare-chested and without shoes on the course. His Buick Open actions also evoked fans when he hit a tee drive off a beer can.

But the biggest reason of them all, according to Daly, was a picture of him in an orange prisoner’s uniform. The picture spread like wildfire and spurred fans to think Daly was under arrest.

As it happened, Daly appeared drunk outside a Hooters restaurant and his friends dialed up the police, fearing he had passed out. Interestingly, Daly mentioned that his companions weren’t aware of his habit of sleeping with his eyes open after getting drunk. The then 42-year-old said, “The picture didn’t help. People think I got arrested when I didn’t. I’ve got to deal with it and go on.”

Daly also regretted the PGA Tour’s decision and wished they could have gotten the facts correct before arriving at a conclusion.

“Tim Finchem (then Tour Commissioner) and his staff have to do what they do. Truly and honestly, I wish Tim would get to know the facts better before he makes a decision. I would love to sit down with him and tell him what really happened. But perception is reality in the world, and sometimes they have to do what they have to do,” Daly said.

Finally, Daly was asked on the basis of all allegations whether the suspension was fair to him. “Is it fair that I got suspended? It’s not fair in reality, but it’s probably fair in perception,” Daly concluded.

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