ENDICOTT, N.Y. – It’s no surprise to find a sizable crowd following John Daly. These days sporting a long white beard reminiscent of Santa Claus, the two-time major champion sports a similar charm as well that endears him to all types of golf fans.
As Daly rode up to the 18th green at En-Joie Golf Club in the second round of the Dick’s Open on Saturday, he received a hero’s welcome.
This time, though, it was more than just a gallery catching a glimpse of a fan favorite. Daly was wrapping up one of the best rounds he’s put together in recent memory.
Whether it was an eagle on the par-5 eight hole, a chip-in birdie on No. 12 or a 60-foot birdie putt on No. 17, Daly gave his legions of fans plenty to cheer about. He walked off the 18th green tied for second after posting a 9-under 63, putting him at 8-under for the tournament with the lead groups still waiting to tee off.
“I hit it a little closer today. I hit the ball pretty well yesterday, just couldn’t hit anything close,” Daly said. “Today, I chipped in twice and hit a 60-footer; that always helps. Hit the ball good today, hit a lot of fairways.”
As Daly’s round continued and his score went lower, the gallery swelled from its already strong starting point.
“I’ve seen a lot of his videos on social media and have been following him for years,” spectator Brad Morris of Bridgeport, New York, said. “The kind of guy that doesn’t even need to warm up to go out and perform. He’s just fun to watch all the way around.”
Daly joked after his round he “hasn’t seen a driving range in five years,” and fans appreciate his approach along with his aura.
“He swings so easy and it goes so far,” John Reese of Olean, New York said as he followed Daly down the 14th hole. “He’s so cool and calm. He’s very charismatic with his wild clothes and long beard.”
Daly has had public battles with alcoholism, gambling and other issues. But Daly has always been straightforward with his fans and that is what he thinks has built such a strong bond.
“There’s no skeletons in my closet. When I screw up, I screw up and I tell them. When I do things good, they see it,” Daly said. “I never lied to my fans. I think a lot of them relate to the life that I’ve lived, the ups and the downs I’ve had. We just connect so good and it’s been that way for 35 years. I wouldn’t change it for the world, I love them.”
Daly earned one of his five PGA Tour wins at En-Joie, winning the B.C. Open in 1992. Though he said both the course and his game has changed since then, he is still fond of the course.
“I love everything about it,” he said. “For me, I’ve been a cutter of the ball for 20-something years. It’s tough, because when I won here in ‘92, I was hitting about a 20-yard draw, hitting about 360 off the tee. It’s tougher for me because everything sets up for a draw. The par-5s all are right-to-lefts. It’s harder for me and I dont hit it as far as I used to. … It’s a lot tougher golf couse, but I love it.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Always a draw, John Daly cards memorable second round at Dick’s Open
Reporting by Anthony Maluso, Special to the Press & Sun-Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Anthony Maluso, Special to the Press & Sun-Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
