John Daly Responds to Stuart Appleby, Says 'I'm Still Surviving the Train Wreck'

Posted Nov 26, 2008 11:25AM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Golf, PGA

Yesterday, Bacon pointed out that Stuart Appleby, dispensing with the niceties, had this to say about John Daly: "I guess he's a walking train wreck and unfortunately, people turn their heads to watch the train wreck."

Appleby's right, of course. After finally stringing together a few good rounds, Daly is still a mess, still without his PGA Tour card, and, amazingly, still wildly popular despite his this-is-not-a-misprint 603rd world ranking.

But as Bacon points out, "As for the train wreck thing, that is Daly's niche. He is the 'people's golfer' because he, like most of us, is a little crazy and wears his heart right over that Hooters patch on his sleeve." Sorta like the "people's champ" but less embarrassing.

But Daly claims that he's trying to clean up his life, even if his actions suggest otherwise. In response to Appleby's "train wreck" observations, Big John offered this:

"Did anybody survive? I'm still surviving the train wreck. ... Well, everybody has problems and I'm a fighter. I'm a survivor and I'll get through anything people can throw at me ... I've done a lot of stupid things I take responsibility for but a lot of it came upon me.

It's just life. We've got to live it and get through it."

Daly also blamed his two-year slump on a rib injury, but as Steph wrote this spring, "... the injury can become a chronic one, and it is likely to get worse unless Daly can lose weight. Hooters has salads, I understand, but those are tough to order when faced with everything else on their menu."

This assumes that JD's ribs are the primary reason Appleby saw fit to refer to him as a train wreck. I'm skeptical.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-26-2008 @ 11:48AM

Sully said...

Hey Appleby, when you have won a major or two as Daly has, then you can start criticizing him! He's human and made mistakes, but he didn't run and hide, He still fights on! Remember when you lost your wife in that terrible car accident after the British Open? That was an unbearable tragedy for you and your family, but you got through it and moved on, and so will JD! Keep your mouth shut and think about trying to win a major! That's where your focus should be, not criticizing JD for anything he has done! People love him because he is real, and makes mistakes like we all do. Ge over it and move on Stu!

8-26-2009 @ 8:52AM

applebyfan said...

What an ignorant and insensitive comment. How can one compare an individual who is the author of his fall from grace to another whose life was gutted by a horrible twist of fate?
Stuart Appleby's life exemplifies an individual who has rebounded from an unspeakable tragedy to become an outstanding role model for his peers and a generation of young golf fans. Stuart's charitable works are well known in his native Australia while Daily's media exposure is primarily due to his buffonery. Just which man would you like your children to emulate?

11-26-2008 @ 1:59PM

Russ said...

Sully, I do agree with you however, John Daly had a brillant and promising career ahead of him and unfortunately his demons ruined such great promise. Just sad to see someone waste so much talent.

11-26-2008 @ 1:48PM

rb said...

Stuart Appleby? Does anyone even care what he thinks? When Stu wins a few more majors than John Daly, he can offer his opinion. No...when Stu walks a mile in John's shoes, then he can offer an opinion. Until then...just shut up and play golf Stu.

11-26-2008 @ 8:06PM

falcon said...

We all have our demons. I'm pulling for JD. He just needs to concentrate on doing the little things right, and his course will correct itself. I'd love to see him win again on the tour.

11-27-2008 @ 8:09AM

Paul said...

I would rather watch John play than any other tour professional,
I know he will win another major before he is all done, I wish I could play a round with him.

11-30-2008 @ 12:55PM

Jim said...

I wish just one foreign player that plays on the U. S. PGA Tour would say...thank you United States for giving me the chance to get rich while playing for the big bucks that my country doesn't offer. Instead they critisize the tour and others on the tour. Your a guest...act like one Stu and keep your commets to yourself.

Mickey said...

John Has a fatal disease (alcoholism) in my opinion. It's a killer. Only he knows for sure. He may not be willing to admit it because he does not want to stop. I do not think he will have much success as a golf pro til he gets some help. Time will certainly tell.

11-30-2008 @ 2:22PM

Tom said...

Daly will probably join the European tour next year. Europe is known for having much stronger beer than America so John will be able to get a much better drunk on during the tournaments. No one in Europe would care because they're all drunk also.

12-01-2008 @ 11:37AM

buddy said...

JB is and has been wrecking the train for over a year now.Course prior to that he squandered a fortune away at Vegas, married multiple times,drunk steadily and now has no PGA card.Lots of sports stars have problems, some make it and many drift off quietly to a life of dispair and heart ache.
I don't want to see John go the latter and he could beat all the demons "IF" he wants to. Now that's the major question IF; but then he may end up in Arkansa collecting his PGA pension ( no John will never be broke ) whining how life was bad to him.Funny I thought we created our future- Mr Appleby was correct in his statement and experienced a horrific situation.He made it and so can John-if he wants too and does something about it.

12-09-2008 @ 10:09PM

billy said...

sitting outside his rusty trailer on a trash strewn weedy patch of dirt, clutching a bottle of booze in one hand and pawn shop claim checks in the other, he'll tell anyone that listens ( for the hundreth time ) that he is cleaning up his act. What a waste of talent.