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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

Agreed. He's used up his last mulligan.

JP, Triangle, VA. (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:36 PM)

Daly is a slob and disgrace to the game of golf.  He should be suspended until his substance abuse problem is quelled, including daily testing for drug and alcohol prior to each and every round.

Jim Dodson (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 4:06 PM)

AMEN to that

Rob Moreside Fairfield California (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 4:36 PM)

I almost feel sorry for Daly. Unfortunately he is not ready to change or he may never change. The man did not find anything wrong with getting his beer during a championship, he felt he was doing something "fun" and "good". Butch's dealing with his discontent should have been a private matter. I am an avid fan of the game and have so whished Daly would appreciate his given talent playing the game and grow up.
Those of us unable to play and enjoy going to work for nearly a million weekly have a hard time understanding him. It is high time for a stint in rehab and reprioritizing. Daly has chosen beer, women and gambling as his passion and he forgot playing golf afforded him that lifestyle.

g. larosiliere, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 5:42 PM)

Does Daly have enough money to live on?  Is he paid for personal appearances?  Is he a fan favorite?  Is he having fun?  Let him go he is enjoying life.

Willie, Evansville, In (Sent Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:01 PM)

Mike, was that comment necessary i.e., "I don’t care if he keeps smoking and blows up to the size of that Mexican guy who needs a forklift and a flatbed truck to leave the house.” You normally write factual thought provoking editorials which I thoroughly enjoy reading.  Making a stereotypical comment that infers “Mexicans” are fat detracted from an otherwise well written piece.

Joe Carter, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 9:01 AM)

God you actually made me close the door to my trailer and put my beer down. Just kidding, To bad I really like bubba (Daly). Hope he gets his crap together.

s esparza (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 9:34 AM)

Dude, leave him alone. At least he is open with who he is and does not walk around like a golfer. And by that I mean he does not have that "I am better than you" look on his face. He is actually a real person. Do you really think he would care if someone talks while he is swinging? Most pros act like a you said something about their Mom when they are the least bit distracted. Daly's biggest distraction when hitting the ball is himself. You said he needs more respect for the game. Two much respect leads to hypocracy. It is just a game. Oh, one more thing. He had two majors before Mickelson and a host of others had any majors. How hard can the game really be if Daly can do it?

Karl Crock (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 10:37 AM)

Sad to say, Mike is right. I wish John Daly all the best, but the nobility is gone from his struggle and he should be gone from the Tour. If there is a character standard of professionalism in the PGA by-laws -- and there certainly ought to be --disciplinary action should become an instant agenda item.

Nate Greene, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 11:42 AM)

You could not be more right, Daly is the last thing any parent would want a young golfer to view as a role model.  I just told my oldest son a couple of days ago, it is time for Tim Finchem to step up and act like a commissioner with John.

Perry V. (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 12:33 PM)

For the most part I agree.  I love watching John Daly play golf because he hits it a mile, has a fantastic touch that rivals anyone and also because he seems so easy to like in a redneck Fred Couples sort of way.  That being said, I've sort of lost interest in him as his life always seems to be a bad soap opera.  Bad things do happen more often to some people than others, but at some point he's got to face the facts that many of the bad things are of his own doing.  I think he's a really great guy deep down and just needs to really want to make his life better.  Unfortunately that may take the day when the sponsorships and exemptions dry up and he has to start playing golf again or find another career.

KC, Hartford, CT (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 1:00 PM)

"It’s time for the PGA Tour to do what any other league would have done long ago: suspend him"  What leagues are you talkin' bout?

Ben, Tacoma (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 6:02 PM)

Alas, I think the truth has been spoken, and in Mr. Daly's case, the truth does hurt. PGA, please step up to the plate and take suitable action; i.e., suspend John until he can represent the tour properly.

George Wood, Wake Village, Tx. (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 10:46 PM)

Get a life.  He called in and was told the INCORRECT tee time - that is why he missed his start.  His self-destructive lifestyle is none of your concern.

Rich Anderson (Sent Friday, March 14, 2008 11:17 PM)

john daly has no regard for people. pga tour is not putting the golf game in high regards. i think the pga tour has bent backwards for years to help john be a professional. you are absolutily correct for the pga to suspend him until he gets his life on track.also i like watching john play.

RM GREENWICH, ct (Sent Saturday, March 15, 2008 2:48 PM)

Dear Mike
I think John Daly's days in the PGA are through. He drank alot and gambled his life away. Just like Fuzzy Zoeller after the 97 Masters comments. Look at Ben Wright after those sexest comments he made in 1996.

Chioke Hassan,Baltimore,Md (Sent Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:11 PM)

I love John, but you're right. We all know someone like him, and at some point we all get tired of that person not caring about themselves or anyone else.
Keep it up MIKE.

Jeremy Stevenson, Lexington, KY (Sent Sunday, March 16, 2008 1:03 PM)

I agree, Daly needs to pull things together...I thought the problems of his past were behind him. I just don't think he understands just how many people wish only the best for him and to see him do well. If he can't even show up on time to tee off, don't let the door hit you in the ass. You don't see every day hard working people showing up late for work or better yet...you don't see Tiger showing up late for his tee time do you? There are also guys on tour who bust there butt just to hold on your there card and then you have Daly who doesn't give a rip. I agree, it's time for the PGA Tour to give Daly a major wake up call...you don't dishonor Mr. Palmer in this way, period.

Gordon Canton, Fargo, North Dakota (Sent Sunday, March 16, 2008 6:00 PM)

Functioning alcoholics pervade every nook of our society, including the boardrooms of every large corporation that controls the economy of the USA and the world.  Why come down so hard on Big John?  Let him live his life as he sees fit.  

Bruce B, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Sunday, March 16, 2008 6:43 PM)

Professional golf is all about big money sponsors and their PGA shills so really, really is it bad that the average cracker in a wife beater shirt has a hero on the chemical green in addition to a NASCAR track?

Bob McPhee Hickory TN (Sent Sunday, March 16, 2008 8:06 PM)

I love John Daly but enough is enough.  The game of golf has suffered enough of his unprofessionalism and should suspend him until he gets serious about his game.

Randy, Elkton, Md (Sent Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:07 PM)

Quote: '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. Unquote

"He may be right. But it doesn’t matter". Are you serious? You are actually suggesting that he is pleading to get sponsor's exemptions so he can frequent the beer tent? Do I wish that he came off slightly smoother? Sure, but that is wishful thinking. We love him because he is who he is. In his moments of clarity, we are rewarded with evidence of his gift that allowed him to shoot driver, cutting the corner on a par 4 dogleg where everyone else was shooting an iron down the fairway that astounded the broadcasters. Then, to prove it wasn't a stunt, wins The Open in a playoff. I realize we live in a 'what have you done for me lately' world, but I ask you, how did you get where you are today?

Chris Whitworth (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 1:21 AM)

And than again, maybe the sponsors just need to stop wasting exemptions on him.

Rob Haverty, Woodinville, Wa (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 8:25 AM)

He's gotta go! Too many chances and no change. Golf is the last professional sport left where dignity and character mean something. I'm in the forgivesness business, and I'd love to help Mr Daly, but, as they say in America's game: Yoooouuur out!

Pastor Dale Forbes, Buena Vista, Va (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 1:34 PM)

Mike, I've written you before and just want to let you know that you are always right on.  Please keep up the good work.

Jim Hills (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 2:52 PM)

Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Babe Ruth each had more drunken escapades than John Daly, but no one called for their heads.  What gives you the right to judge him.  Let the poor guy be.  He has enough demons to fight already.

John Roady, St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 2:54 PM)

John Daly is the Britney Spears of golf.  The question is why do we, the public, allow these people to be so hugely rewarded for this behavior?  Is it that life today is so stressed that we enjoy this freak show against our better judgment?  We can only control our own actions...as for me, I will not be watching any tournament in which John Daly is a participant.  I never bought any of Spears' stuff so I'm clean there (probably 'cause I'm too past my prime to be interested!!).

Josephine C., Long Beach, CA (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 4:28 PM)

John Daly does relate to fans; this is entertainment after all and charisma must be a part of it. Ask yourself; Would you rather pay to see someone like Daly play or someone with the personality of a rock, say Vija? You can't tell if Vija is number 1 or number 100, his expression never changes. If I want to watch grass grow I'm sure as heck not going to pay for it. Good or bad, John Daly is entertaining and people do relate to him. It all boils down to making money otherwise the PGA would let you in the gates for free; correct?

Chris, Anchorage AK (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 7:45 PM)

Daly needs to grow up.  His inability to controll his habits leads me to believe that before long he will be nothing but a postscript on the PGA history.  I am sure that some will blame his parents or find some forgotten incident as a child, but in reality he just simply needs to take the responsibility for his own path.

Gary Bodiford, Kingsley,Iowa (Sent Monday, March 17, 2008 11:28 PM)

This from the same guy who thinks Michael Vick will play in the NFL again, even if not a superstar?  Gimme a break... it's GOLF, not being President of the US, and he's not hurting anything outside of his own career... the game of golf loves John Daly and you'd find an upset allegiance of fans if he were to leave other than under his own failures/mistakes - Now, who's got their priorities mixed up here?  

Bralio (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:39 AM)

John Daly fans seem to forget what golf has given John Daly.  

I was a huge fan of John Daly as he was coming up...he won two majors, one as an alternate!  He was just a Southern Boy who hit the ball as hard as he could.  It makes for a good, inspirational story; any man can become great when they put their heart into something.  Any man.  Even John Daly.  He is a man who is filled with demons.  But his drive to compete overshadowed his vices.  He might have drank his way through the majors he won, but he wanted to win.  Golf gave John millions of dollars and a national stage and John gave back.  He met with fans.  He made sponsors money.  He put the dream of being great into every kid who watched this "good ol' boy" play and win.

Today is a different story.  Golf gave John everything he has (or had).  And John gave back.  However, today he does nothing for the game.  He may still meet tirelessly with fans.  He may still make sponsors huge amounts of money.  But he does not inspire us anymore.  We all know golf is about history and transcends most sports in this regard.  It is about individual triumphs.  It is a game with stories of journeymen and complete dedication.  It is filled with stories like John Daly.  His time ended a long time ago, but golf gave him more chances.  And he squandered those, too.  

If John Daly wants golf to give him one more chance, it's time for John Daly to do something about that.  It is time for him to take responsibility for his actions.  All he gives us now are excuses.  All he gives us now is a game built on sponsors' money, not his talent.  

I feel sorry for the man, but I have given up on the golfer.        

Pete Bujnak (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:41 AM)

To whom ever cares.  I am a recovering Alcoholic for the past 28 years.  At age 33 I managed to start the process of turning my life around.  I was forced into treatment by my probation officer. My point to this self confession is I see a lot of John Daly in my own history. I honestly don't know what actions the PGA should take at this point but I do know this. When everything was finally taken away from me I had to look at the wreckage of my past and then get my life in order with the help of A.A. John needs to hit the bottom in his life and I think the PGA could help him get there sooner than he would on his own. And I believe this action to be one of empathy and compassion for someone that most of us still admire. He is just one of hundreds of Alcoholics and compulsive, obsessive people that I speak with weekly. He just happens to be in the eye of the public and so his story is told live to America everytime his behaviors go beyond control. I'm going to continue to pray for the man and hope someone steps in before the opportunity is no longer there.  

Thomas Merritt, Milton, Wisconsin 53563 (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:32 PM)

Here is another case of someone that can't jumping on someone that can. I have to check your facts about why he missed the time. Its not that he has won a lot its because he plays. He has a lot more to deal with than most and he does not always do it right. But the rest of them  stand in a line and you can't tell one from the other.

John King Tampa Florida (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 6:18 PM)

John Daly and Michelle Wie.   Where is the connection?

Dennis Hurwitz (Sent Tuesday, March 18, 2008 9:10 PM)

There are many things to like about JD, but some of us folks (that would be me and some friends who follow JD) are getting a bit tired of his antics. We all wish we had his golfing talents and some parts of his good old boy personality, BUT I think it is time for JD to step up to the plate and be more responsible for his actions. Sorry, JD, but you are a role model to a whole lot of kids and adults and you are not doing such a great job. I think it is time, age 42 I believe, for JD to clean up his act and act like a "pro." Yes, none, absolutely none of us is perfect, BUT JD you are sliding down a very steep slippery slope and I am afraid that you are self-destructing. I love you, JD, but I can't buy into your deeds/actions.
Love ya, man!
Mike from NC

Mike O'Neal, Willow Springs, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 4:59 PM)

How about MSNBC pulls the plug on you instead.  Lay off the guy. He does some stupid and unprofessional stuff, yes, but Boo Weekley doesn't know squat about golf and is loved by fans for it.  Vijay insults other players and women golfers and is reviled by the fans.

Get over yourself.  Can MSNBC suspend you?

John Smith, London, UK (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 2:03 PM)

Speaking of lack of professionalism...... If you're using your own professional behavior as measuring stick to John's....  Guess what? You're looking at the wrong side of the scale.  I agree; I don't like his behavior sometimes, but I know what it's like to have that kind of a problem.  It's hard enough for the average Joe to do, but throw in the pressure from people pulling at you from every direction, no privacy etc., it becomes all the more difficult.  Just out of curiosity, are you the type that goes through the battlefield afterwards and bayonet the wounded?

Mark L. Houston Texas (Sent Sunday, March 23, 2008 5:13 PM)

Speaking of lack of professionalism...... If you're using your own professional behavior as measuring stick to John's....  Guess what? You're looking at the wrong side of the scale.  I agree; I don't like his behavior sometimes, but I know what it's like to have that kind of a problem.  It's hard enough for the average Joe to do, but throw in the pressure from people pulling at you from every direction, no privacy etc., it becomes all the more difficult.  Just out of curiosity, are you the type that goes through the battlefield afterwards and bayonet the wounded?

Mark L. Houston Texas (Sent Sunday, March 23, 2008 7:31 PM)

Gimmie a break!  If the sponsors or a host tourney wants to dump Daly, that's up to them.    He's a real life "Tin Cup" that many of us can relate to and sympathize with.  He's got a big generous heart and he embraces the fans.  Daly is good for the game.  He's done more to increase interest in the sport of golf than most other PGA members combined.

Dean, Las Vegas, NV. (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 3:15 AM)

John. Get help, please. You have fans, but your fans want you to play golf to the best of your ability. You can't do that if you're addicted to alcohol. You can take control of your life, but you'll need help. It's worth it. Good luck.

Jake Doppler, Plattsburgh, NY (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:29 PM)

There is no doubt that the man has talent and could get his tour card on his own merit.  But even he does not give a damn.  As long as corporate America keep giving him exemptions, he will remain the train wreck he already is.  He not just a disgrace to golf but all means of competition.  Even marbles and checkers!!!!

JT, Ledyard, CT (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:01 AM)

first, i don't respect a man who doesn't respect himself.  clearly, john daly doesn't respect himself or the game of golf.  if you listen to him, he is not a man who believes he is 'down' and needs the help some of you think he should have bestowed upon him.

second, i can't fathom how it is he is of such popularity.  sure, back in the day when he won the PGA, he was a long-hitting novelty with an amazingly deft short game. no doubt alot of talent.  he has been such a train wreck for so long, i fail to see where the popularity still comes from, other than the public's general fascination for celebrity scandal and failure.  the man is clearly a wasted talent who has squandered more opportunity than he deserves.  

in my mind, a classic loser.

dab dab (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:07 PM)

Those of you claiming that John is "only hurting himself" are forgetting (or more likely not caring about) the other hungry players out there who do devote themselves to the game, but aren't allowed a shot because Daly is such an inspiration to the slacker in all of us.

Russell, Bridge City, Texas (Sent Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:41 PM)

John Daly has more golf talent than most players that ever played the game. Think about it,he can get drunk, stay out all night, drop a few hundred large gambling and still on any givin day wake up tee it up and win a PGA tournament. Now if that's not greatness what the hell is.
Oh sure the he has broke a few of the HOITY TOITY RULES of the game. But come on maybe he should play professional football where you can be a known felon and even convicted murderer and still play the game !!
Get real let him play.

Ron Macker Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:30 PM)

Golf is the only professional sport where the athletes are respectable, do not make scenes, are gentlemen and are rolemodels. Can Daly. While you're at it, can NBC for their coverage of the US PGA Open. With all the commercials and interviews, it was difficult to find the tournament.  

Jim Harben (Sent Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:10 PM)



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