John Daly and His Pants of Many Colors

John Daly is all about reinventing himself. Usually, it's preceded by an intervention or a stint in rehab, and often brought on by a beer and hot wings bender at the nearest Hooters. Well, Hooters, known for their high standards and exclusivity, no longer sponsors Daly.

Who knows if that was the catalyst for change, but I'd like to think that after Hooters said, "Yeah, John, you know what, this isn't working. I mean, right, we're all about selling sex to sell deep-fried food and booze, but you just don't fit into our long-term advertising strategy," Daly decided to make some changes in his life. It's one thing to get dumped by Butch Harmon; it's something else entirely to have Hooters -- the Ellis Island of the T&A, booze and eating establishments -- tell you you're not good enough to be associated with them.

The reality, of course, is that there isn't a better front man for Hooters. Daly's biggest fans are the same folks who like some cleavage with their hot wings and beer (see, for example). There's nothing wrong with that, but Hooters just didn't see the marketing opportunities in this.

So Big John, facing bankruptcy, a six-month suspension from the PGA Tour and no real options in this country, had gastric-band surgery and headed to Europe. Now he's 40 pounds lighter and playing some of his best golf in years. Oh, and he's doing it while looking like Ronald McDonald.

The London Times' Patrick Kidd has a theory: "It fits in with the Daly philosophy of never doing things by halves. 'If it was alcohol, I wanted to drink until I couldn't see straight,' he once said. 'If it was golf, I wanted to beat everybody's brains out. If it was driving, I can get there faster than you can.' And no one can outdo Daly for a somewhat unusual taste in clothes.

Somewhat, yes. That's one adverb for it.

Kidd asked Peter Dawson, the chief executive of the R&A, if Big John's get-up would be allowed in the clubhouse at St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf. "That's a hypothetical question. I can't see our members ever wearing such trousers."

On the upside, if Daly qualifies for the British Open at Turnberry in two months, he'll be free to dress as he pleases. Thanks, largely, to the trailblazer of daft couture: Ian Poulter. Sounds about right.