Why John Daly Refuses to Sign Autograph That Carries Unforgettable Memory From His Open Win?

John Daly has a reputation for being outspoken and humorous. Be it his cool personality, his colorful attire, or his lifestyle, the 58-year-old has had a fair share of memorable moments on and off the golf course. But there’s one encounter that stands out in his mind—an unexpected interaction with a fan that left a lasting impression. What happened next is a tale that left the golf world laughing and shaking in amazement. Although Daly won’t be able to complete the 2024 edition of the Open Championship, because he has withdrawn, his past win had some memories of its own.

It was back in 1995 at the Old Course at St. Andrews for the Open Championship. Right after John Daly came victorious as he beat Costantino Rocca in a four-hole playoff, a bizarre incident occurred immediately after he putt the 18th hole. As Daly celebrated his win, a naked fan burst out of the crowd and ran onto the greens. In big, bold letters, the guy had “19th hole” written on his back, with an arrow pointing down his backside. 

Daly and his fans were taken aback by the sudden interruption, but they couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Even the police officers chasing the streaker can’t stop their laughter. Later, when Daly was asked to sign a photo of the incident, he jokingly refused, saying, “I’m not signing a guy’s a**, I’m sorry” He recalled that memory in Your Golf Travels YouTube channel’s Q&A session and was joined by Lee Westwood. 

“Well you know, I heard he was a cop… It’s a little embarrassing. I mean, you know, I sign a lot of stuff, but that’s one picture I won’t sign… I’m not signing a guy’s a** I’m sorry.” However, he did come up with a creative alternative. He has collaborated with a wonderful company called The Chivery that is doing great with his T-shirts. They wanted to create a new design and came up with one that would put the naked guy on the back of the shirt. 

The 2x major champ then stated, ”I said, no, no. So there’s these two girls that do the commercials. That blonde’s got a fine a**. Let me sign her a**. Take a picture of it. We’re going to put her a** at the 19th hole on her back. And we’re selling beaucoups of them” The incident has become a legendary tale in golf, with many still chuckling about the unexpected turn of events. But who was the pitch invader? The man has also made a story for himself.

Mark Roberts, the man who upstaged John Daly’s win

Mark Roberts, the self-proclaimed “Streaker King,” has made a name in sports history with his daring and hilarious streaks at various golf events. But his 1995 Open streak stands out in particular. As Roberts tells it, he was originally trying to meet and congratulate Daly on his win. However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he decided to strip down and make a run for it.

“As the tournament drew to its climax, my friends gathered around me, so I could get undressed without attracting the attention of the Beverly Hillbillies [cops],” he recalls. “As I ran, I seemed to gather pace because of the hills and slopes on the course. When I looked around, I was being chased by my new mate and the cast from Benny Hill.” Roberts’ antics caused a stir among the crowd, which included an ex-president and royalty. “I turned around again and saw him going red in the face… and then saw George Bush and Prince Andrew clap and cheer.”

Today, Roberts is still going strong, with a slightly lower profile. He has streaked at an astonishing 568 events, including multiple Open Championships—he’s a three-time offender! He’s also appeared at the 2006 Ryder Cup, various Olympics, an FA Cup Final, and even the Running of the Bulls. But that’s not all—he’s also streaked at the Super Bowl, the ultimate stage for a streaker. 

What do you think of this encounter on the golf course? Share what you think with us in the comments section below.