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Mike Celizic

NBCSports.com contributor Mike Celizic provides his unique slant as he takes an offbeat look into the world of sports beyond the box scores.



PGA should pull the plug on Daly

Posted: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:06 PM

Isn’t it about time the PGA Tour pulled the plug on John Daly?

There has to be a last straw somewhere in the haystack of sins against the game of golf that Daly has accumulated. Why not the most recent one, today’s failure to answer the bell for the pro-am at Arnold Palmer’s tournament that led to an automatic DQ and also led to two alternates to the tournament losing their chance of playng?

I know he’s big with the fans, but so are the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which Daly increasingly resembles. It’s easy to see why. He’s a beer-swilling, chain-smoking, serial-marrying, casino-haunting, junk-food-snarfing, grip-it-and-rip-it good old boy with an easy smile a who-gives-a-damn approach to life. In other words, he’s every guy you ever saw in a Bud Light commercial – with a hearty dose of Jackass thrown in.

Oh, yeah. He also hits the ball 100 miles.

The trouble is, the guy’s not a golfer, at least not in the professional sense. Unable to qualify for the Tour on his results, he relies on sponsors’ exemptions to get into tournaments, which is how he got into Arnie’s party. Then he rewards said sponsors by playing as if he can’t wait to get to the beer tent, which he can’t.

I’ve nothing against any of Daly’s vices, having tried most of them myself and found a number of them enjoyable. But at some point, if you want to be a professional anything, you have to make that a top priority in your life. On the list of Daly’s priorities, you’ve got to go to Page 3 to find golf.

He missed his tee time for the pro-am one day after his coach, Butch Harmon, fired himself, saying Daly’s more interested in beer and Hooters’ girls than he is in golf. You could only wonder why Harmon took so long to notice.

Daly may still sell some tickets and draw a gallery, but only as a sideshow freak. He’s long past the time when he has anything to contribute to the game.

The reason he’s still around, one assumes, is because he really comes off as a good guy and everybody wants him to do well. Everybody, that is, except him.

I don’t care if he goes to rehab and swears off Hooters. I don’t care if he keeps smoking and blows up to the size of that guy who needs a forklift and a flatbed truck to leave the house. As long as he shows respect for the game of golf, for his fellow competitors, and for the people who pay good money to see him actually give a damn, he can do whatever he wants in his own time.

He’s arguing that he had the wrong tee time for today’s tournament, which is why he missed it. He may be right. But it doesn’t matter. He’s run out of mulligans. It’s time for the PGA Tour to do what any other league would have done long ago: suspend him. And tell him not to come back unless he’s ready to actually compete.

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Comments

Ease up, John is good for the game of golf.  He'll either get his act together or stop getting sponsor's excemptions.  It's easy to "kick someone" when their down....lets just hope he comes thro this a better person and gets his act together quickly.  
J. Dixon
(go HOGS).

John Dixon, Concord, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 5:35 PM)

John has the talent to compete.  But, unlike other great athletes, Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and others, John has no heart.

He should be banned from the PGA until he is clean, sober and get all the help he needs.  Until that time he will continue to drag others into the vortex of his  downward spiral.

Ken Wausau, Wi (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 5:37 PM)

It's time MSNBC pulled the plug on Mike Celizic.

Philip (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 5:51 PM)

Oh come on, off the pedestal! People like him = sponsors like him.

Apologist (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 5:55 PM)

How can he be supended from a league he doesn't belong to?  He's not even a member of the PGA Tour.  I think that part of the article was ridiculous.  At least get your facts straight if you're gonna tell a guy how to live hsi life Mr. Perfect.

Don Lowry, Memphis, TN (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:02 PM)

The article I read was that he called for his tee time and the PGA official told him the Thursday time of 9:47 instead of the Pro-Am time of 8:40.  

If the PGA official did in fact tell him the wrong time then it really isn't his fault, even if he had a beer or 3 too much the night before.  

The fans want to see him golf.  He is entertaining.  Let him be.

Kev in Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:05 PM)

Come on the tournament official gave him the wrong time - it wasn't all his fault. Yes he has some problems but let's not kick a guy when he's down.  I'm sure he feels really bad about knocking the two other guys out and letting down Arnie.

scott stephens, Elmira, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:06 PM)

Give me a break.  Daly is one of the only interesting players on the PGA.  All of the others piss and moan about how they can't beat Tiger.  Last time I checked Harmon isn't God.  Hey Butch, time to find a new meal ticket.

DublD, Flower Mound, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:08 PM)

Maybe he should be a sportswriter so he can criticize athletes whom he is envious of.  Providing the events of the missed tee-time are as Daly tells them, I fail to see how these recent events deserve condemnation from the media.  What should be criticized is Butch Harmon trying to get his name in the paper by quitting Daly without notifying him personally.  That is what should be criticized.  

Jeff Miller, Indianapolis (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:11 PM)

Amen.  

Daly is a poor example of a PROFESSIONAL athlete.  It's amazing and dumfounding how many "characters" make it as professional athletes, despite their (in some cases) heinous sins.  

It seems, though, that in the case of the PGA, guys like Daly, Sabatini and Isenhour are offered more leniency than offenders in other professional sports.

Kevin, Dayton OH (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:16 PM)

Bully! In any other sport, he wouldn't even be a footnote....

David Braeuer (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:28 PM)

John Daly is the PGA Tour's version of Mike Tyson. He's brought all this on himself. He's been a fan favorite since Day 1, yet between multiple marriages, multiple drunken escapades, a fight on the tour a number of years ago, destroyed hotel rooms, gambling incidents, a jillion DQ's or WD's from PGA events, and many of those on Sponsor's Exemptions. Butch said it best when he recently said, "No good golfer is doing those things". He doesn't owe Daly a thing. Not a courtesy call 'you're gone', nothing. Butch is spending his time with golfers that "get it", that take their careers seriously. Another prima donna athlete that doesn't want to take responsibility for his actions, pointing fingers elsewhere. How many other golfers also missed their tee times at Bay Hill.  C'mon...it's an insult to everyone's intelligence to listen to Daly's remarks. This didn't happen for the first time, it's happened all his career. Eli Callaway took him on when nobody else would, paid off all Daly's gambling debts and gave him a new start. Of course fans love him for what was once the longest ball in golf, and they love him for his availability to fans at events. But he's nothing more than a circus, gaining attention for all the wrong reasons, he brings on himself....much like Mike Tyson did. Daly needs to go away, making way for other golfers that respect and appreciate how good they have it, to be a part of the PGA Tour.

T.L. Laurance (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:37 PM)

Don't be a Jackass Mike Celizic and bring the Mexican race into this into your comments concerning John Daly.  I'm a big fan of John and I will always wish him the best but his recent action does not allow you to make an extremely stupid comment like that and compare his mistake to a large oversize individual who needs a forklift.  How can you even make that comment you idiot.  I truly hope you read this.  It's bad enough with have to deal people thinking were all illegal immigrants.  Now we got a jackass journalist like you making stupid ass comments that has nothing to do with us.   Regardless, Go Big John!  You can recover from this mistake and continue thrilling the fans.  It will be tough but you can do it.  As for you Mike, Viva Mexico!
Viva Estados Unidos!  I got your freedom of speech at my house.  Come pick it up!

G Mujica, Las Vegas NV (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:44 PM)

“Last Call” was announced to John years ago, now it’s time to bounce’em. Maybe, just maybe, a few of his “you the man” shouting knuckle-head fans will follow him out the door.

JB, Garden City, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 8:47 PM)

So what rules of golf has he broken that would merit a suspension?  I don't think there is one for "not giving a damn about your game."

Rich, G'burg, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:15 PM)

Mike's right...John Daly is a disgrace, even to the most casual in the sport.  I'm trying to raise a son with the game who's all of eight and sees Roger go out in flames in baseball and now John burn up his career. So like those two poor alternatives in today's Pro-Am that got their chance blown, my son wonders allowed why Daly's allowed to stay in the game? Dose of Jackass, indeed.

Joe H. Springfield, MO (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:43 PM)

How mean! Talk about stomping on someone when they are down. I hope he wraps one of his clubs around your freaking neck.

Rob Ennis, Rome, GA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:49 PM)

This is a very easy stance to take against John Daly.  Too easy.  Why doesn't Mr. Celizic suggest getting him the help he needs?  He still can play amongst the best of players...if he wants to.

CDK, Lancaster, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:52 PM)

No way! Daly is the people's champion and makes the game accesible to the common man. LET BIG JOHN PLAY!

C. Royall (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:03 PM)

Sanctimonious Celizic strikes again with his poison pen.  I do have to ask, "What has Celizic ever accomplished on a sports field and why does he distain the human side of athelets?"

Please MSNBC, make this caustic tougue cherry picking buffoon go away.  The sooner, the better!

Stan, Canonsburg, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:08 PM)

Wow, judge,jury and executioner..As a golfer and more importantly a golf fan, I too am disappointed in how John Daly has let his potential slip right through his fingers..I AM a fan of John's, but not necessarily of his, at times, poor behavior..However, I don't think I have the right to so harshly condem him either. You know, let he who is without sin....We attack his size, yeah thats fair..We attack his smoking, very tough habit to break.  We attack his gambling, glad i don't have that problem. We attack his association with pretty women, hmm.  John Daly is not the first to bring working class personality to professional sports.  How would the great Mickey Mantle make out in this age of intense public scrutiny?  I believe John does pay a dear price for his behavior at times, a higher price than we can understand. To say he is not a profesiional golfer because of some questionable behavior is ridiculous.I choose to see someone who is a great golfer despite himself. I choose to admire people who are true to themselves and are not just puppets..This doesn't mean I like everything they do though.  As for me, i'm going to continue to hope for the best for John..

James H. Stockton III, Louisa Virginia (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:22 PM)

You may have tried his vices, but they never made it to addiction with you, Mr. Celizic.  Makes it pretty easy to throw stones.  And, well..when you consider that there is quite a bit of opinion that alcoholism may be genetic (right or wrong - they don't know) - aren't you putting the cart a BIT before the horse? What if you are holding him to your standards for something genetic? Think about it.  As for what he really needs - time away - a refocus - a NO BLAME situation where he can get himself together without judgment. Maybe - he just doesn't love golf the way that YOU (and every other person judging him) think he should.  So..he's wasting talent - so do I.  I'm happy - maybe John is happy too when people aren't up his backside with their expectations.  Allow John to meet someone like me - because I understand where he is at - and I can help him move on to where he IS happy, and that may NOT be golf.  Mr. Celizic, I enjoy your columns normally - but here, I take exception.  Let John confront his demons without judgment - and wish him well - he doesn't have to live up to your standards or mine.  Getting away from celebrity - what EXACTLY - is he doing wrong?  Maybe he would just be a normal guy...drink too much...and have fun.  WHO...REALLY...is that hurting?  Yes, he's an AWESOME golfer when he WANT'S to be - when he is focused.  True, it's a shame that he doesn't take advantage - but that is HIS choice and HIS life.  Please, just let us all let the man relax - and hope that he can get it together - we don't have to denigrate him. And, just in case you are wondering - no I am not a judge not lest ye be judged person - I just think it is wrong to judge on my own - it has NOTHING to do with religion.

David Brabec, San Antonio, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:42 PM)

Without Arnie, there wouldn't have been a Jack.  And, without Jack, there wouldn't have been a Tiger.  The purses would be $50,000 per tournament, not $5,000,000.  

Mr. Daly (and I use the term loosely) has blown more chances than anyone I know of other than Latrell Sprewell.  It is time... a five year suspension for conduct unbecoming of a member of the PGA tour.

And I blame the Tour, also.  It is vaguely reminiscent of Bud Selig's head in the sand approach to steroids.  John Daly sold tickets.  They should have stopped this silliness a long time ago.

Bill Yadon, Berlin, WI (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:49 AM)

Anyone that goes after John Daly has never had a setback in his or her life. Or a whole bunch of setbacks. Having grown up in the same part of the country that Mr. Daly grew up in -- Northwest Arkansas -- I can tell you that no one takes anyone very serious there. Least of all someone who learns his game on a goat ranch without any real guidance and then "drinks himself" to a couple of major victories. 

Screw Mike Celizic and all the pundits that think  they've got Daly down cold. Which of the automatons are my kids to find inspiration from??? "O'Hair," that trashes his father? One hit wonders like Curtis? Garcia? Who has won, like, -0- MAJORS???

I'll tell my kids that Couples, Love and Pavin and Norman and Faldo are the class of the game, because they are. And Toms and Lefty. And that Nicklaus and Palmer are the history that they should seek out. And that "Tiger" is something that is once in a lifetime. like Hogan or Jones.  

But then there is Daly. He isn't the new Palmer, he  isn't the new anything. He's just John.

He is everyone of us that has ever teed it up. He's just John.

Leave him alone. Let the PGA Tour go along. As long as there is John Daly, there will be someone that lives his own life, in his own way. "Everyman" will never agree that Daly was wrong ... They will just say that Daly was being Daly ...

And to hell with the vast majority of them that don't make the cut every week ... they'll never be John ...  

Screw the Millers and the Azingers and the rest of them that have the pulpit. Daly is the "train wreck" that America wants.

Let us have him.

clay ward, lake charles, LA (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:50 AM)

Mike,

Kudos to you.  It is time they tell him to go back
to Q School and qualify.  Sponsors shouldn't give
him free passes anymore.  

Carlos Molina, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:45 AM)

John's case is a sad one. A great talent who could not gain control of his soul. May God grant John the strength to get the real help he needs.

Steve L, Newbury Park, CA (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:18 AM)

As for John Dalys actions are those of a person that
has never given his life over to the Lord.  A self-centered person that loves the things of the world it is John.  He shows not purpose in his life and some
day he will look back and wish for what he lost. However, it is never too late to seek God.

Carl Woodward, Eastman, Georgia (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:35 AM)

As much as I like John Daly I believe your right. I also believe, that this won't bring a strong enough message to him that he has some real problems.  

Rhonda, Lubbock, Texas (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 6:08 AM)

Daly can be a wonderful example to the game of golf, but first and foremost he needs to be an example to himself.

Ron S. (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 6:23 AM)

We all have our saturation point, you would the PGA is rapidly approaching theirs. I know Big John Daly has if you what I mean--Hic!

Duncan Galbraith (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:20 AM)

As much as liked to watch him play golf when he was at the top of his game, you have hit the nail on the head.  It is time for the PGA to be rid of John Daly.  Let him play on the Nationwide or somewhere overseas.  He has to earn the right to play again on the PGA tour.

Jack Dubois, Singapore (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:33 AM)

Having been down the road myself with booze, I know what a tough one it is to shake, but it can be done. Having Butch openly castigate him sure can't help..then again maybe the shock of that will get John to AA faster.
I for one will never give up on John, and pray that he can turn that corner one day soon.

bearwest (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:51 AM)

As much as I like John you are right he needs to be suspended and when and if he gets is game back and earns is way back in then he should be considered. Could be best thing that happens to him. Sorry John but you have wake up and smell the coffee.

Roger Guindon (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:52 AM)

All of us that follow golf already know of Daly's problems. I understand you as a journalist needing the write interesting stories but to judge him by calling him all those names is not very "professional" in my opinion. Daly may not be being the "professional" golfer that he has potential to be but this is the business of entertainment. Fortunate for Daly he is popular with the people that it matters to the most. The public. It seems the so called "professional" ones such as yourself are determined to tear him down as much as you can. As long as Daly continues to be popular he should still be playing on tour regardless of his personal demons. A punishment is in order but to publicly judge him with this name calling is very "un" professional.

Ken (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:54 AM)

Pulling the plug on Daly may seem like the right thing to do. However he should be treated fairly in accordance with the existing polices and guidelines. John Daly's behavior is hurting other people and the PGA tour. In situations like this the behavior will be self limiting, i.e., it will eventually deteriorate and cross the line into unacceptability. Then those who control the tournaments and the tour will exclude from him from playing on the tour and the fans will reject him.  

Gerry Ray (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:26 AM)

John and Tiger are the biggest draw on the tour.  Since Tiger doesn't play all of the tournaments the PGA had better allow Daly to keep playing.  

John McTolf, Hannibal, MO (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:39 AM)

well i agree with what your saying but why throw in the comment about the mexican guy, that's kind of over the top dont you think?

dwayne breed (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 10:24 AM)

i think you are being much to hard on John; i think he should continue to have sponsors exemptions from now to eternity.

a senior citizen from el paso texas (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 10:27 AM)

I couldn't agree more. He has had every opportunity and then some to get back to what he could be capable of with respect to golf. It is indeed the time for the Tour to do the right thing, like any other business organization would do in the same circumstances - FIRE HIM.

RH Toronto Ontario Canada (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 11:09 AM)

The issue here is not John Daly's behavior.  It is his losing.  Did the partying make Babe Ruth a lesser man?  Nope.  It made him a greater legend.  Did the womanizing make John F. Kennedy a lesser man?  Nope.  I mean, Marilyn Monroe . . . the guy is a hero!  Now if John Daly won some stuff on a regular basis, nobody, not even King Arnie, would want him booted.  Maybe instead, Arnie would go partners with Daly and make some Hard(with booze)  Arnold Palmer ice tea/lemonade.

Kim Perkins, Sitka, Alaska (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:18 PM)

Get a grip dude.  You are talking about Daly like he is a discredit to all humanity and the holiness of golf by slamming Mexicans, Hooters and Bud Light.  I think Daly has his problems and they just seem to manage to come with him to work.  I guess they don't have that type of thing happen with writers.  Maybe they should pull the plug on your column?

Terry Downs (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:33 PM)

John Daly, simply stated, is an alcoholic.  If he takes up the AA program and stays with it, he will recover.  At best, he has a 60% chance of recovery in the program.  But he must reach a point where he wants to get sober before AA will do him any good.  He is no different from any other alcoholic or drug addict.  But to "enable" him by granting sponsor exemptions, etc. makes it difficult for him to get to the point where he will get the help he needs.

tony kerckhoff, Covina, California (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:02 PM)

Mike, i appreciate your discrimination against everyone outside your fantasy world of sipping joe out of some ultra small tea cup party set and acting so proper you've turned into a character from a 1980's british comedy.  In your article you didn't even acknowledge any so called "sins" against the game of golf except showing up late for a tee time, (or in your world tea time), so he smokes, drinks, and likes women and gambling.  Guess what?  He has something below his belt.  So keep pretending your a future poet sipping your coffee in front of your lap top while typing your silly little articles at starbucks.  John is a man's man, maybe one day you'll understand.

Layton, Dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:11 PM)

Sad but very true.  If John won't spare himself the indignity, the PGA should spare itself and us from suffering it by pulling the plug on him.  Maybe then he'll actually be motivated to change... or at least complete his ignominious, self-imposed destructive cycle without us.  Perhaps spending some quality time with others who aren't able to face their deep issues like Brittany Spears, Ricky Williams, and Lindsay Lohan would sober him up, or at least provide him with some putt-putt partners.  

Polego, Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

Little harsh there Mike, wouldn't you say?!  This guy has been entertaining people for quite some time now and ceremonial golf is part of the PGA, it always has been, and as long as big corporations and charities are part of the mix, then I beleive that it always will be.  

Remeber that the PGA is an entertainment and charitable awareness vehicle as much as it a is a professional competition.

It's purses are soley based on each tournaments sucess and I for one beleive that big John has earned the right to be invited to as many events as seen fit by sponsors.

And what do you care that John isn't really competing right now, for that matter 98% of current fields aren't competing and when Tiger plays tht number is bigger!

Even Tiger, the most notable PROFESSIONAL COMPETITOR in the sport sees fit to invite Daly to his own golf tournament.

Greg B (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:49 PM)

Isn't it about time the PGA Tour pulls the plug on Hooters?

Ellen Sullivan, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:52 PM)

"if you want to be a professional anything, you have to make that a top priority in your life."??  What rule book did that come out of?  In the most individualistic sport like golf the only person Daly is responsible to is himself.  Not his teammate, nor the coach, or the franchise that's paying him.  He has none of that.  His paycheck truly reflects his performance.  He gives the fans and the sponsors just what they want and for that I hope he remains a fixture on the PGA tour.  Sure he's a bundle of talent waisting away but that's what makes this sport so intriguing.  We sit at the edge of our seats wanting to see Daly pull one off or Tiger stumble.  Neither one likely to happen anytime soon.  

Golf Fan, Bend, Or. (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:59 PM)

Wow....sour grapes????
Daly's problems not withstanding, we all have them, this is not the governorship, presidency, or staff writer for an on line news rag.
It sounds like you're casting some serious stones for a not serious violation in a sport being payed for by beer drinking, smoking, obese, gambling amatuers.  
Get off your high horse, John is an empathizing figure that will forever capture our (golf fans) attention.  Advising that we turn our backs, that's your solution...I'm glad you are no friend of mine.

Chris, Louisville, KY (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:00 PM)

I think John Daly should take time off the Tour. He obviously has problems in his day to day life that he cannot meet his committments to golf on the PGA tour. The guy is playing with sponsor exemptions anyways. John, it's time to step back and take a good long look at the face you see in the mirror everyday. I know we all have a profession and yours is Golf, but when your own coach fires you because you want to sign gear, eat chicken wings and chug a couple of beers, then my friend you need to reflect on this.

David Vasquez (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:35 PM)

Yeah Yeah Yeah You are a big windbag who is very selective with facts....Baseball has roit cheaters and that's okay, the NFL and NBA are full of criminals and that's okay... But ole JD has got to pay for his vices....nail him to a cross (it is the Easter season) according to Mike (badhat)Celizic

YoMomma (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:51 PM)



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