John Daly has faced numerous health challenges over the years. The two-time major champion once joked that he’s “been dead 11 times” during his career. He’s undergone 16 surgeries in just four years due to tangled tendons. Daly has also battled bladder cancer, though he’s thankfully been in remission for four years now. Yet despite these challenges, he continues to find ways to stay connected to the game.

This isn’t the first time Daly has used special events to maintain his golf relevance. He’s made his Hooters partnership a cornerstone of his public persona in recent years. The restaurant chain has become synonymous with Daly’s Augusta appearances during Masters week. His son, John Daly II, even joined the Hooters family as their first NIL ambassador in 2022.

John Daly surprises fans with $350K Splash Sports competition

Daly dropped an exciting announcement on Instagram just as Masters week approached. He’s partnered with Splash Sports to offer fans a chance at a massive $350,000 prize pool. The competition gives golf enthusiasts a unique opportunity to win while enjoying the Masters action.

“Want to Play a Round of Golf with Me? Or maybe win $100K while watching the action in Augusta? Why not BOTH?!” Daly wrote in his IG post. The grand prize winner will receive a whopping $100,000 in cash. Another lucky contestant will earn the chance to play a round of golf with Daly himself.

The promotion cleverly coincides with the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Daly has a growing portfolio of fan engagement initiatives beyond just tournament appearances. His ‘Lion’s Den Membership Platform’ offers tiered subscriptions starting at just $9 monthly. He recently hosted a Valentine’s Day vodka promotion at Stockyard Live in Florida. On New Year’s Eve, he created viral content by drinking from an oversized Good Boy Vodka container.

Daly’s Instagram announcement has already generated thousands of comments from eager fans. Many express excitement about potentially meeting the larger-than-life golf personality. The 58-year-old continues to command attention through these creative promotions despite his tournament absence.

While Daly remains active in the golf business world, his competitive history at golf’s most prestigious venue is worth revisiting. His entrepreneurial success stands in stark contrast to his tournament results at Augusta National.

John Daly is fighting health battles while maintaining the Augusta connection

Daly’s last appearance at The Masters came nearly two decades ago in 2006. His participation in major tournaments has dwindled significantly due to ongoing health complications. The two-time major champion has undergone 16 different surgeries, and many of those procedures addressed painful, tangled tendons that hampered his movement.

Despite these challenges, Daly refuses to disconnect from the tournament atmosphere. He likens himself to Lazarus, saying he “just keeps coming back from the dead.” His best Masters finish was a tie for third place in 1993, briefly suggesting he might one day don the coveted green jacket. However, his power-hitting style didn’t perfectly suit Augusta National’s strategic demands. The course rewards precision and course management as much as raw distance.

Daly’s Masters appearances became increasingly rare in the early 2000s. His exemption from his 1995 Open Championship victory eventually expired. The combination of qualification challenges and health issues has kept him from competing. Yet he remains a beloved figure during tournament week through his creative promotional ventures. Will you try your luck in Daly’s new contest? The promotion keeps ‘Long John’ connected to the tournament that captivates the golf world every April.