Golf is an honorable game with a storied tradition. That tradition should NOT include John Daly!
There have been many feel-good stories throughout golf’s history. Tiger Woods is one of those feel-good stories. Whether discussing his 2006 season, where he racked up 6 consecutive tournament victories following the death of his father, Earl, or the 2008 U.S. Open where he limped his way to victory over Rocco Mediate on a severely injured knee, Tiger has been a part of recent examples that will surely be remembered in golf lore for years to come.
There’s the story of Payne Stewart, golf’s all-around good-guy. Stewart is remembered for several notable moments, including a 15-foot putt at Pinehurst to close out the final hole of the U.S. Open in 1999. There is the time when he won the Tournament at Bay Hill in 1987 and donated the entire sum of his winnings – $108,000 – to the Florida Hospital Circle of Friends in memory of his father, Bill, who passed away from cancer. Most notable is the ghostly image of a bag-piper crossing a fog-covered green at the Tour Championship in Houston in October of 1999, and the sight of many of Stewart’s friends playing the next day in plus-fors as homage to their beloved colleague and friend whose life had tragically ended in a plane crash one week before the event.
There’s Jack Nicklaus, the “Golden Bear.” Nicklaus made a promise to his son, Craig, who was dying of a rare type of bone cancer at age 11. He said he would wear yellow at every tournament he played in, which he proudly did for his son. Fast-forward to 1986 at Augusta National where Nicklaus, still wearing yellow, embraces another of his sons and his caddie, Jackie, as he claimed his record sixth Green Jacket at the age of 46.
There are many magical stories with many wonderful thoughts and sentiments attached to them.
Compare those to the story of John Daly. A man who has been charged multiple times with multiple offenses, including a most recent incident where he was arrested outside of a Hooters Restaurant for appearing intoxicated in October of 2008. This incident led to his third suspension from golf. His first suspension resulted from a domestic-violence charge, and the second stems from an incident at Kapalua Golf Course where he just picked his ball up off the course on 11 and skipped to the 12th tee in 1993.
Daly is an admitted alcoholic and drug user who has also confessed to a gambling addiction. He has been involved in embarrassing incidents both on and off the course. Consider his run-in with a spectator during the opening round of the Australian Open in 2008, where he smashed the spectator’s camera into a tree.
John Daly’s presence on the PGA Tour has resulted in numerous black marks on a game which prides itself on honor and dignity. Daly’s behavior has been anything BUT honorable and dignified.
Now, the golfing world holds its collective breath as Daly makes yet another return to the game which he has disgraced many times over. Has Daly truly seen the error of his ways? Will he take steps to make up for all the wrong he has done, both personally and professionally? My answer to those questions is – who Cares?! John Daly has had more than his fair share of mulligans. I cannot name one quality that I find endearing, and can’t fathom actually cheering for him as he sets foot on the tee-box at a major tournament. He has exhausted any good will that I might have for a man in his situation.
I do not feel that he is worthy of the fans support, especially in a game where so many good and honorable things have happened throughout history.
If you want a REAL player worth cheering for this year at Bethpage Black, site of this year’s U.S. Open, it’s Phil Mickelson. Mickelson has been one of the PGA’s great ambassadors during his career. He has sponsored or founded multiple charities, and always carries himself in a way befitting the dignity of a golfer. Now Mickelson faces a new challenge, supporting his wife, Amy, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The U.S. Open will mark his second tournament since the discovery of her disease. I’ll be watching and cheering for Mickelson AND his family because they truly deserve all the support they can get.
Read the debate intro and Loyal Homer’s opinion.
Posted by Bleacher Fan 
