John Daly and the Hong Kong Golf Club make an incongruous pair. Daly is the “wild thing†of world golf, who only two weeks ago was reported to have spent 24 hours in a north Carolina jail sobering up after a heavy bout of drinking.
The Hong Kong Golf Club is the ultimate in decorum, with an atmosphere that still exudes the elite British colonial days on which its tradition is built.
But, they’ve been together before and there’s no better place than thousands of miles from home for Daly to start afresh.
The American two-time major champion has signed up to play in the Hong Kong Open next week, the second stop on the European Tour’s inaugural Race to Dubai schedule.
The 42-year-old, who has won the US PGA Championship and British Open in his career, has had it tough lately, seeing his ranking plunge to 783 in the world.
But he can still draw the crowds and that alone is enough to make sponsors willing to take a chance on a man who rarely makes cuts and has a penchant for chaos and partying despite many attempts to clean up his act.
In one tournament this year, a sponsor’s representative remarked that Daly’s mere presence, even though he failed to make the cut and spent his free days drinking in the marquee, was worth up to US$40,000 in additional on-course ticket sales.
That was echoed by Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Iain Valentine, who said in the South China Morning Post:
“He could add thousands to the gate next week. He’s a popular guy, despite his problems. He’ll be a great draw, everyone knows him and thousands will come to see him. I’m sure he will conduct himself very well, like he did last time he was here.â€
The big man’s previous appearance in Hong Kong was 10 years ago when he admitted “choking†while challenging for the lead and ending up in a tie for 19th.
Daly, who these days also peddles autographed souvenirs, golf teaching aids, merchandise and his autobiography while on the road, was reported to have approached organisers for a place in the tournament, according to reports in Hong Kong. The newspaper quoted promoter Martin Capstick as saying:
“He came to us. While it’s come out the blue, it is not a complete surprise. I understand he is keen to join the European Tour and get a good start in the Race to Dubai. Daly still has lots of fans in Hong Kong and around the region. He is a wonderfully talented golfer.â€
If this is what it takes for Big John to get his life and career together more power to him. It is a shame to have seen someone with so much talent and fan support go through what he has. We wish you well John, take us for a ride. And get well soon.
“Mr. San Diego” Daly always finds creative ways to make life interesting for his fans