John Daly makes history in golf. He must be the first champion ever NOT to be asked to return to defend his title at an event. But anything can happen in golf and today, Daly, the 2-time defending champion of the Telus World Skins Game, will not been invited to be part of the five-man field in Vernon BC this summer.
I saw John play at the Skins Game at Nicklaus North with Jack, Stephen Ames and Vijay Singh. He was a sight to behold (smoking, laughing and yes, ripping it!). He was a crowd favorite.
Last year at the event, JD won 12 skins and $220,000 by chipping in for an eagle at the 13th hole. He beat Geoff Ogilvy (5 skins, $125,000) and Canada's Stephen Ames (1 skin, £15,000). South Africa's Retief Goosen and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie came away empty handed. So...JD can still play....if he really wants to.
Brad Pelletier, vice president and managing director of IMG Canada, which runs the event said, “What I can tell you is this — we have our five players locked up and John Daly is not one of them. We had spent considerable time looking at things and decided we wanted to change up the talent mix on it. Recent events this week had no bearing on it.â€
Pelletier went on to say that Daly simply did not fit what he called a new "theme" for the Skins Game. Riiiight...what tournament in golf ever followed a "theme" besides winning? I may not be happy with JD's behaviour of late, but defending champions should "defend".
Let's cut the crap Brad. You DON'T NOT invite a defending champion. Unless of course, you're afraid. And as a fellow Canadian, if you are doing this because you are risk adverse and afraid, then I am embarrassed for you. You should be ashamed.
Pelletier said this year’s field for the June 16-17 event at Predator Ridge was finalized about a month ago. Do you believe that? I don't. But I am glad to hear that Mike Weir will be in the field. I will probably attend the event as it is in 'close to home' territory, but Pelletier better not be within ear range of me.
Troubled golfer John Daly won’t be gripping and ripping it — or chug-a-lugging cold ones, for that matter — at the Predator Ridge Resort in Vernon during this summer’s Telus World Skins Game. Daly, the two-time defending champion of the made-for-TV... read more...
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
I have to agree, you should be able to defend your title, unless you are suspended or received some type of punishment from the tour. However, this is an invite tournament and not a sanctioned PGA tour event and the sponsors and hosts can pretty much do what they want. However, that does not make it right. JD just needs to get away from all of this negative publicity and take a few weeks off and get serious about working on his game, if he wants to have a tour card next year. He has the talent, it is totally upon him to get it done, or else it is hello Nationwide Tour or European Tour next year!
I personally am of the thought that there is more to the JD and Harmon incident. Why would Harmon come out and make such a harsh statement against JD, if there was nothing more to the story? There is, but we will probably never know.
They were glad to have JD there while he was popular and beloved. But now that he's taking a beating from the media and Tour, they're afraid to invite him. BS- IMO!
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
hey buddy, JD draws a crowd atleast as big as tigers, he's the fan favourite where ever he plays. He still has the talent to win, ive seen him hit shots which boggle the mind. Most people just focus on him and the long ball, but the guy has the greatest touch ive ever seen, especially for a big man. I'd like to see him get things back on track because he deff has the talent, but lay off the guy, wud he ever do to you?
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
hey buddy, JD draws a crowd atleast as big as tigers, he's the fan favourite where ever he plays. He still has the talent to win, ive seen him hit shots which boggle the mind. Most people just focus on him and the long ball, but the guy has the greatest touch ive ever seen, especially for a big man. I'd like to see him get things back on track because he deff has the talent, but lay off the guy, wud he ever do to you?
First, I really doubt JD draws a crowd as large as Tiger's, but more importantly it isn't just the size of the crowd but who is in the crowd.
That said, I do think it is a bit cowardly not to allow the champion to defend. It certainly paints the sponsor in a really poor light as far as I'm concerned. By being the champ, you earn your spot the next year.
As for the Harmon incident, I think it is exactly what it seems. Harmon agreed to take Daly on with the understanding that Daly would focus on golf and stop drinking. Daly spent too much time in the Hooters tent and Harmon warned him. The next week it was the same story, so Harmon felt that Daly wasn't living up to his agreement and he cut Daly loose. That is exactly what it is.
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
hey buddy, JD draws a crowd atleast as big as tigers, he's the fan favourite where ever he plays. He still has the talent to win, ive seen him hit shots which boggle the mind. Most people just focus on him and the long ball, but the guy has the greatest touch ive ever seen, especially for a big man. I'd like to see him get things back on track because he deff has the talent, but lay off the guy, wud he ever do to you?
A.) I'm not your buddy.
B.) He doesn't draw a crowd anywhere near Tiger's.
C.) He's isn't that big of a fan favorite anymore. It's 2008, not 1998.
D.) The greatest touch you've ever seen? You need to get out more. And when you say "especially for a big man", you insult all big men. Since when does one's size make a difference in touch?
E.) He never did anything to me. In fact, shortly after he won the PGA Championship and became famous, he played in a local benefit tournament near me when he could have easily bagged it and done something more lucrative. But he stuck with his committment. And although I've always liked him for that, it didn't turn me into one of the many apologists who refuse to admit that he is now a washed up drunk.
Unfortunately he is a drunk and that is a very serious personal problem. It is something that has a terrible hold on him and is keeping him from realizing his full potential. When people joke about it they show how truly ignorant they are. He isnt partying like a college kid. This is a disaease that will either kill him or directly contribute to killing him. Secondly I dont think he is washed up. He still has the talent and needs to get sober. Thirdly from everything that I have heard and read he does have the LARGEST DRAW south of Tiger.
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
hey buddy, JD draws a crowd atleast as big as tigers, he's the fan favourite where ever he plays. He still has the talent to win, ive seen him hit shots which boggle the mind. Most people just focus on him and the long ball, but the guy has the greatest touch ive ever seen, especially for a big man. I'd like to see him get things back on track because he deff has the talent, but lay off the guy, wud he ever do to you?
A.) I'm not your buddy.
B.) He doesn't draw a crowd anywhere near Tiger's.
C.) He's isn't that big of a fan favorite anymore. It's 2008, not 1998.
D.) The greatest touch you've ever seen? You need to get out more. And when you say "especially for a big man", you insult all big men. Since when does one's size make a difference in touch?
E.) He never did anything to me. In fact, shortly after he won the PGA Championship and became famous, he played in a local benefit tournament near me when he could have easily bagged it and done something more lucrative. But he stuck with his committment. And although I've always liked him for that, it didn't turn me into one of the many apologists who refuse to admit that he is now a washed up drunk.
alright whatever. All you guys are ripping on him and it just so happens that i like the guy. Someones gotta have a postive comment towards him
I don't understand what you are trying to say. You can't see why the people who run the tournament might not want a washed up drunk who will most likely not even show up for his tee time participate in their event? This actually baffles you?
hey buddy, JD draws a crowd atleast as big as tigers, he's the fan favourite where ever he plays. He still has the talent to win, ive seen him hit shots which boggle the mind. Most people just focus on him and the long ball, but the guy has the greatest touch ive ever seen, especially for a big man. I'd like to see him get things back on track because he deff has the talent, but lay off the guy, wud he ever do to you?
A.) I'm not your buddy.
B.) He doesn't draw a crowd anywhere near Tiger's.
C.) He's isn't that big of a fan favorite anymore. It's 2008, not 1998.
D.) The greatest touch you've ever seen? You need to get out more. And when you say "especially for a big man", you insult all big men. Since when does one's size make a difference in touch?
E.) He never did anything to me. In fact, shortly after he won the PGA Championship and became famous, he played in a local benefit tournament near me when he could have easily bagged it and done something more lucrative. But he stuck with his committment. And although I've always liked him for that, it didn't turn me into one of the many apologists who refuse to admit that he is now a washed up drunk.
alright whatever. All you guys are ripping on him and it just so happens that i like the guy. Someones gotta have a postive comment towards him
Just because we don't share your rosy optimism towards Big John doesn't mean we are ripping on him. He's a drunk. That's not a rip, it's just the truth. In my opinion, he is washed up. Again not a rip, just my opinion. Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but right now he can barely make a cut. You're entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are "ripping on" anyone.
Unfortunately he is a drunk and that is a very serious personal problem. It is something that has a terrible hold on him and is keeping him from realizing his full potential. When people joke about it they show how truly ignorant they are. He isnt partying like a college kid. This is a disaease that will either kill him or directly contribute to killing him. Secondly I dont think he is washed up. He still has the talent and needs to get sober. Thirdly from everything that I have heard and read he does have the LARGEST DRAW south of Tiger.
You are right, it is sadly a very serious personal problem, and a disease. That being said, yes JD IS partying like a college kid....maybe even better. One story I heard about one of JD's recent exploits is just outright hilarious, but in the end, another example of the disease. I can't list out details here, so no one ask, this site has to remain jr. friendly, but let's just say it involves two women, and you would have to be drunk to try to pull this off.
And yes, the crowd following JD is right up there with the best of them. We don't have to rank golfers by crowd draw, but go to any tournament and you will find plenty of walking room around dozens of golfers, including Duval, but around JD you will get run over by other fast moving beer drinkers if you are not watching out.
John Daly says he withdrew from this week’s PGA Tour stop in Puerto Rico because of stress and instead plans to spend a few days visiting a friend in Fort Lauderdale. At a time his closest pals worry about his drinking and mental state, I’m worried that JD partying in Lauderdale during a spring break week could be a recipe for the breaking of something else. Dreams, glass and .08 come to mind.
“It used to be cool to go have a couple of drinks with him because at least he cared about playing well,” said Pat Perez, probably Daly’s closest friend among Tour players. “It was cool to hang out with JD and go out and party and have some drinks. But now you can’t drink with him because you’re really contributing to something terrible."
I was at both rounds of the 2006 Skins game in Banff in which John Daly was the champion and thrilling the crowd with long drives. I must admit at times over the 2 days (played in hot weather) JD hit some shots in which it was noticeable that he was less than 100% into it , or maybe he just needed a drink? But he did win the 1 hole on the final nine with all the carry-overs to clinch the win. For that tourney JD e-bay auctioned the chance to caddie for him for the 2 days. The money ($100K+) was given back to local charity which was great and something the other players did not do. Like many alcoholics they are not black-white personalities.
My real comment is regarding Telus's sloppy management of this tournament over the years -- it appears they want to have their cake and eat it too. The news about John this week is nothing new nor unexpected, and not necessarily the worst stuff he has done (e.g. destroy hotel rooms and fight with various wives). When Telus initially invited JD to play they knew pretty much then what we know now about John. They are dumping JD as quick as they were stuffing $$$ in their pockets from those fans Daly attracted to the tournament. And so now, after feeling they were burned by a rowdy John Daly, they finally invite Mike Weir, the former Master's champion and only Canadian ever to win a major. Well, it is about time!!! Weir is sponsored by a competitor of Telus's and that is their only reason. After Tiger, for the majority, Weir is the next player Canadians most want to watch.
With that B.S. press release Telus is plainly admitting that this whole thing has been horribly mismanaged. It will also be embarrassing this summer to explain why their 2 time defining champion is not playing and why it took such a scandal to finally invite Mike Weir after all these years.
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John Daly makes history in golf. He must be the first champion ever NOT to be asked to return to defend his title at an event. But anything can happen in golf and today, Daly, the 2-time defending champion of the Telus World Skins Game, will not been invited to be part of the five-man field in Vernon BC this summer.
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