Four months. John Daly has had marriages that lasted longer. But that's all the time it took for instructor Butch Harmon to realize that trying to revive Daly's languishing career was hopeless without using beer, chicken wings, boobs -- basically any Hooters-related theme -- as part of the "training."
After warning Daly earlier in the season to get his head out of his arse, Harmon has officially dropped the tubby two-time major winner:
"My whole goal for him was he's got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life," Harmon said from his golf school in Las Vegas. "And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk."Apparently, Daly's behavior at last week's PODS Championship was enough for Harmon. (His on-course act probably didn't help either -- Daly fired an opening round 77 and followed that up with a solid 80; shockingly, he missed the cut.)
"He would work hard and get better, but when things don't go right, it's back to the alcohol stuff," Harmon said. "I love this kid. He's a tremendous talent. But if he's not going to give 100 percent effort, it's a waste of my time. ... Jon Gruden caddying, I thought was ridiculous. I thought he made a circus out of the whole event."Uh, Butch, you're wasting your time. I'm just surprised it took you four months to figure it out.
The good news is that hopefully there will be more of this, which should invariably lead to more of this. See, everybody wins. And by "everybody" I mean, "everybody but Daly and the poor unsuspecting saps who happen to get caught in the 'Knockin on Heaven's Door' crossfire."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-11-2008 @ 11:41PM
donc said...
hello
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 9:28AM
Rmoore said...
Used to be a big Butch Harmon fan, I thought that the man had a little bit of class, kick him when he is down i'm surprised you didn't talk about his ex wife to. What a Jerk
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 12:31PM
John Clark said...
When will they stop giving Daly exemptions? Give that slot to a young golfer who appreciates and respects the game of golf. Harmon was right in his actions. Daly will not stop as long as he has enablers.
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 12:48PM
CMoore said...
Rmoore, You must be a liberal drunk if you think Butch Harmon did anything wrong except waited 3 months to long.
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 1:02PM
James said...
I have been a huge John Daly fan, but the guy is a mess and he is surrounded by enablers. He has a tonof talent, but golf is just not a priority to him,,,golf provides him with the money he needs to drink and gamble, but it does not seem as though he is passionate about the game anymore
Reply
3-12-2008 @ 8:23PM
tobrien28 said...
The reason why we see celebrities (like Lindsay Lohan, John Daly, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Billy Martin) engage in destructive behaviour is because they are surrounded by enablers. John Daly is not a drunk, he is an alcoholic. He has an addiction to alcohol. The only way to snap someone out of alcoholism is by intervening, not by giving up on someone, but by actively working to get them sober. I hope someone close to Daly realizes he is killing himself and intervenes. Enablers prevent someone from hitting rock bottom and instead keep them in a constant state of near-bottom.
Reply
3-13-2008 @ 1:20PM
Dave said...
John Clark - I agree with you 100%. I respect the sponsors right to give exemptions, yet if they give one to a female - many people argue they are taking a spot from a young, hard worker trying to get a card. Well, they're doing the same with Daly in my opinion. As far as quality of the exemeptions go - there's little distinction between the train wreck that has been Michelle Wei and the freak show that has been John Daly... Neither is worthy as far as I'm concerned.
Reply
3-14-2008 @ 10:56AM
TeeOff said...
They will never stop giving Daly exemptions...he draws in the crowds, especially at events that lack top players. Harmon should have just let Daly go quietly but maybe he cares about Daly and wanted to wake the big guy up to get him playing straight.
Reply