PGA Tour suspends Daly for six months

MSNBC ^ | 12/31/08 | AP

[Big_Monkey]

John Daly has been suspended for six months by the PGA Tour for conduct that brought unwelcome publicity, including a night in a North Carolina jail to sober up.

“Is it fair that I got suspended? It’s not fair in reality, but it’s probably fair in perception,” he told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

This is the second time the tour has suspended the two-time major champion, along with at least two other times he agreed to take time off to get his life in order. The 42-year-old Daly called this the lowest point in his wild 18-year career.

[Big_Monkey]

John Daly is a highly charismatic golf phenom, but is clearly troubled with substance abuse. I won't comment whether this is a fair reaction by the PGA or not. What I find most interesting is the PGA's response compared to the reactions for much more serious offenses in the NBA, NFL and MLB. These larger, more lucrative sports could learn a few things from the PGA with player discipline being at the top of the list.

[1rudeboy]

As an avid non-golfer, I welcome Daly’s antics. They make the sport bearable to the masses.

[Moonman62]

Daly was already on an unofficial suspension. Tim Finchem told sponsors not to give him any exemptions. Daly is already planning to play in Europe this year.

On his recent three tournament stop in Australia he received $50,000 in perks, but generated business of $3 million, even though he didn't make a cut.

[omega4179]

I think the suspension could help John even though I find his antics amusing in an otherwise boring sport it would be best if he sobered up and lost weight and played golf like he used to.

[omega4179]

[Lurker]

It’s always painful to watch real talent be wasted to a beatable addiction.

[advertising guy]

when HOOTERS is a willin sponsor, somethings right

I hope Daly gets the demons whipped

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

So his crime is what, getting drunk and being outside a Hooters?

If this is a "crime" why do they serve alcohol there?

This brings to mind a line that the golf pro character Shooter McGavin exclaimed describing Adam Sandler's character Happy Gilmore in the movie Happy Gilmore, "He's ruining golf!"

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[”Daly told the AP that his friends called police when they feared he had passed out, unaware he sleeps with his eyes open when he’s had too much to drink.”]

Wierd.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Anyone see the thread on the poll selecting the top (and bottom) 5 celebrities you’d like as a neighbor? When I saw the thread I was thinking Daly would be a fun neighbor, no?

[1rudeboy]

As long as he didn't get drunk and bet his friends he can 5-iron a golfball through your open kitchen window.

Wait, I'm a bachelor. That would be fun, too.

[Moonman62]

For a week maybe, but if you have to get up and go to work I think it would lose its attraction.

[TV Dinners]

double secret probation?

[ml/nj]

So his crime is what, getting drunk and being outside a Hooters?

Well, did you read the rest? It seems he also hit a shot at an exhibition off the top of a beer can once.

ML/NJ

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I applaude the PGA's decision and I continue to hope that John Daly will clean up his life and live. Unfortunately, nothing is going to happen until he sincerely wants to get sober. When I read his statements and see clips of his comments on the golf channel, there doesn't seem to be any desire on his part to deal with the alcohol problem. While I find it sad for him and his family and friends, he is making the decisions knowing full well the consequences. All things considered, he will die young.

[relictele]

Like him or loathe him John Daly brought more fans and money to the PGA Tour than Vijay Singh and 12 other pros chosen at random ever will.

[Don W]

How Mr. Daly chooses to imbibe is none of our business. Many great figures in the past would be considered bibulous sots by the standards some here are espousing.

So he likes to have a few, big deal. He was impaired at a Hooters restaurant: Wow, he's the first man ever to do such a thing.

Good grief, you're not his wife or mother. As a member of the PGA he may have been outside their accepted norms for behaviour, but that is a contractual matter, again, none of our business.

Then again, there is an organization some here might be interested in: the WCTU. Carrie Nation's minions still do exist, perhaps they need more members.

A good friend of mine once quoted to me:

The purpose of life is NOT to arrive at the Pearly Gates with a well-preserved, pure and pristine body. The idea is to come screeching up sideways, smoke in one hand, glass in the other, tired yet grateful, shouting PHEW! WHAT A RIDE!

How we get there is between each of us individually and our Lord. This kind of tut-tutting is more suited to leftist nanny-statists and micro-managing control freaks. It certainly does NOT belong on a conservative board, at least in my NSHO.

[Defiant]

Is that Mrs. Jaws in the picture?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Sheesh, take a breath. I'm not tut-tutting anything, but I would like to see a talent like Daly get his drinking under control so he doesn't kill himself. Daly himself admits that he goes much further than having 'a few', as you say. His life is a train wreck, not a fair ride, and as long as he remains a public figure, folks are going to have an opinion. Get over it.