John Daly's Putter Is Only Thing Holding Him Back

The PGA Tour doesn't talk about such things, but I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that the decision to suspend John Daly for six months was born out of the events that took place a year ago last month. Daly, participating in the Buick Open pro-am, thought it would be great fun to hit a golf ball off a beer can. while an overalls-clad Kid Rock watched on.

Alone, it was harmless, but Daly has a long history of skirting right and wrong, at least in terms of what the PGA deems appropriate. Not long after the beer-can-as-a-tee trick, Daly was cuffed-and-stuffed for being sloppy drunk outside a Winston Salem, NC-area Hooters.

And that was that, at least as far as commissioner Tim Finchem was concerned. Daly was suspended, spent the early part of this season playing in Europe, and used the time to recommit himself to golf. Again. This time, however, it might be the best thing that happened to him.

For now, JD, 70 pounds lighter (and counting!), is still trying to find his game. He's been working with Phil Mickelson's former coach, Rick Smith, and while the results haven't been immediate, there are glimpses of progress. Daly finished 27th at the British Open earlier this month, and second at the Italian Open in May.

Historically, he has struggled with his long game. Now it's his putting that's holding him back. Given all that he's been through to this point, that's a pretty good problem to have as he prepares for this week's Buick Open.

"I love the way I am hitting the ball, I just didn't think my putter would be this bad," said Daly, who is 196th in putting. "It's tough when you hit it so good and don't score. Rick has got his work cut out for him with my putting." ...

"He's aiming poorly, which makes you compensate in your stroke," Smith said. "We have to get his aim right and then put the forward press in his stroke like it used to be years ago, and that creates better rhythm. It's a little different feeling but it's a good one, and if the putts start going in, he's really going to do something because he's hitting the ball great."

But it's more than just golf. It's about avoiding the distractions that landed Daly in his current predicament. He seems to understand as much.

"I am done with the drama," he said. "I've had enough drama to last a lifetime."

That's what Daly has been saying all year. And for the first time, well, ever, I believe him.