Now, mostly a former PGA golfer who's encountered some difficulties during a successful, though inconsistent career. He's now long past his prime, though he still dabbles on the senior tour.
He made his claim to fame by being a backup invitee to the 1991 PGA Championship. I believe there was a back story where upon hearing that he was picked as an alternate player, drove his car from (maybe Arkansas) to wherever the tournament was being held.
John Daly was one of the original "bomb and gouge" hitters. "Bomb and gouge" refers to being such a long driver of the ball, all he typically had left was a wedge to the green. He was playing Tiger Woods-styled golf long before Tiger.
In any case, Daly won the PGA Championship in 1991, then backed that up with another major championship in 1995, winning the British Open.
Unfortunately over the years, Daly battled alcohol and had at least a couple unsuccessful marriages. I think he currently plays on the Champions' Tour (senior tour), and trying to keep his life in order.
I think Daly is as humble as he can be, but has some demons that he fights. He sounds happy and honored to have played with the President, and I think that's a good thing.
Coined the phrase grip it and rip it. Daly is high on the list of most talented golfer to allow alcohol (or something else) to diminish what might have been a hall of fame career. You want to root for the guy, you want him to live up to his potential.
I saw him play in the Houston Open back in the 90’s. He was smoking a cigarette and would set it down on the tee box and hit his drive. Then, he would pick up his cig and start walking.
I ran into some of Daly’s relatives (natural or by marriage - not sure) at the East End Grill near Southwind TPC in Memphis some years ago. Not the most upstanding bunch. Probably a reason he never stayed consistent.