Daly May Be Lost

I’ve been a fan of John Daly for quite some time, but in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to cheer for the guy. Reports of his off-the-course behavior have been increasingly worrisome, while his game has deteriorated to where it’s not really possible to cheer for him there, either.

Golf writer Larry Bohannan, who does terrific work for the Deseret Sun, reports on the latest signs of a Daly collapse:

It is safe to say that as many people in the desert have come to believe Daly withdrew from the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic on Saturday because he wasn’t able to overcome a night of excess as believe he couldn’t go on because the official excuse, a damaged rib.

Talk of Daly’s activities in the desert last week has stirred up enough negative publicity that the PGA Tour is taking notice. Commissioner Tim Finchem had to address Daly’s week on ESPN on Wednesday, and other tour officials are trying to sort out fact from fable.

Whatever account and whatever rumor you want to believe, know this: Daly’s life right now appears out of control. He’s physically bigger than he’s ever been, prompting some people last week to say he looked like he needed to be tethered to the ground during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

And he seems to be losing whatever battle he’s putting up against his excesses. Alcohol, food, cigarettes and partying are all evident. Maggie Downs, a Desert Sun reporter who doesn’t really know all the back story on John, just what she was seeing last week as she covered the Hope’s celebrity parties, reported on her blog that Daly told her to write that he wasn’t drinking at one party as he was knocking back a shot of something alcoholic.

Let’s just say I trust Maggie to tell the facts more than I’d trust Daly right now.

It doesn’t look good for Big John. I’ll say a prayer for him, but right now what he really needs is a major miracle.