[cometgolfer]

I think the "everyman thing" has to be kept in context. I can't quote figures, but I have to believe a majority of PGA professionals fall into the "silver-spoon" category and Daly is for sure a departure from that. Golf has always been considered a bit of an elitist sport and JD's background is anything but, so in that respect I think he endeared himself to many.

But.... it is hard to argue that his act isn't getting old. I'm a pretty patient guy and when I heard the news about his antics last week and then missing his Tuesday tee time I just had to shake my head.

I'll relay one story told to me by a friend of mine (a local club pro who managed to qualify for the PGA when it was held in Kohler, WI a few years ago). He has a daughter with a physical condition that required some expensive surgeries at a very young age and he happened to get paired with Daly in the Monday practice round. My friend had to get back that night for a Tuesday charity event for his daughter (and then fly back Wednesday). They talked about stuff during the round (JD's support of Make-A-Wish, my friend's daugher, etc) and JD told him to come by the "bus" and he'd give him a few things for the silent auction. Well... they're coming up the 18th, and my friend says that JD is up by the green waiting for him. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out about $3k in cash, gives it to my friend and says "this is for your daughter". That story made TGC that night, not at JD's request. My friend played the first 2 rounds with people literally trying to hand him cash on almost every hole. "Kinda tough to play good golf with people handing you money and you're trying not to cry". In his words.... "John Daly will always be #1 in my book".

I've always cut JD some slack since I heard that story. Man I wish he could turn it around.

CG