"Fan favorite John Daly was briefly leading the PGA Championship on Thursday, carding an opening round 72 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. The 56-year-old, who now competes primarily on the senior tour, has become a cult figure of sorts, owing to his flamboyant clothing and colorful, everyman persona, chain-smoking cigarettes on the course while frequenting his beloved Hooters.
Daly, who tied for 32nd the last time the PGA Championship was held at Southern Hills in 2007, has made his presence felt in Tulsa, puffing heaters on the range and getting around on a No. 69 golf court (he was granted a medical exemption following surgery on his arthritic knee).
Knowing he wouldn’t have to be back on the course until his 1:25 PM ET tee time Friday afternoon, Daly headed to a local casino for some late-night slots. Sporting a full beard and shoulder-length hair, Daly had already changed out of his elaborate Mexican skull pants by that point.
Daly’s brief appearance on the leader board Thursday had Will Brinson feeling nostalgic, recalling a time in 2008 when Daly headlined the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro.
Brinson, who was covering the tournament for the now-defunct AOL FanHouse, remembers keeping a close eye on Daly during one of his practice rounds, noting everything the golfer put in his body.
By Brinson’s count, Daly threw back an amazing 21 cigarettes, 12 Diet Cokes and six bags of Peanut M&Ms, all over the course of 18 holes. Not once did the 1995 British Open Champion reach for a sip of water.
Quick John Daly story while he's still under par. I don't *think* you can find the story online (the Internet doesn't actually keep anything forever) but way back when I worked at @FanHouse (RIP), I covered the 2008 Wyndham Championship and Daly was the biggest name
Anywho, best part of the week was following Daly around for a practice round either Tues or Wed. It's been a while, I'm old, not sure which. I decided to track what this athletic specimen was putting in his body as he prepared to compete in a high-level professional golf tourney
Followed him for 18 holes, hawking his every move, taking meticulous notes every time he reached for his golf bag, took a bite or a sip or a puff.
First few holes were just kind of eye opening. By the back nine I realized I was essentially watching someone pitch a perfect game.
The final tally of literally everything he put into his body over a full 18 holes:
21 cigs
12 Diet Cokes
6 packs of Peanut M&M's
0.0 ounces of water
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) May 19, 2022
Daly’s hard-living has caught up to him in recent years—he’s been diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes and also suffers from chronic liver issues.
Fortunately for fans, Daly doesn’t seem particularly compelled to tone down his blue-collar stylings and larger-than-life personality, standing out as a renegade in a sport overwhelmingly populated by clean-cut, silver-spoon types who grew up going to exclusive country clubs."
