History of John Daly (golfer) in Timeline

John Daly is a professional golfer recognized for his prodigious driving distance and unconventional persona. He gained fame with his unexpected victory at the 1991 PGA Championship and further solidified his reputation by winning the 1995 Open Championship in a playoff. Daly's career has been marked by both remarkable achievements and inconsistencies, compounded by personal struggles that have often overshadowed his talent. Despite these challenges, he remains a popular figure in the world of golf, now competing on the PGA Tour Champions.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1927: Beginning of the Ryder Cup

Since the inception of the Ryder Cup in 1927, John Daly remains the only man from either Europe or the United States to have won two major golf championships without being selected for the event.

April 28, 1966: John Daly's Birth

On April 28, 1966, John Patrick Daly was born. He would later become a professional golfer known for his driving distance and unconventional style.

1976: Jerry Pate Wins U.S. Open

John Daly was the first rookie to win a major title since Jerry Pate won the U.S. Open in 1976.

1983: Missouri State Amateur Championship Win

In 1983, John Daly achieved his first significant golf success by winning the Missouri State Amateur Championship, marking an early milestone in his golfing career.

1983: Helias High School Accomplishments

In 1983, while at Helias High School, John Daly contributed to the football team's 10-0 record as a punter and place-kicker. Also in 1983, he was a Missouri state team HS champion in golf.

1984: Attending University of Arkansas

From 1984 to 1987, John Daly attended the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship, marking a period of his formal education and golf development.

1984: Arkansas State Amateur Championship Win

In 1984, John Daly followed up his Missouri State Amateur Championship win by winning the Arkansas State Amateur Championship, showcasing his growing talent in golf.

1986: Qualifying for the 1986 U.S. Open

In 1986, John Daly qualified for the U.S. Open as an amateur but missed the 36-hole cut, gaining experience in a major professional golf tournament.

1987: Leaving University of Arkansas

From 1984 to 1987, John Daly attended the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship, marking a period of his formal education and golf development.

1987: Daly Marries Dale Crafton

In 1987, John Daly married Dale Crafton, a hand model from a wealthy family in Arkansas. Daly was trying to support his wife and himself by making it to the PGA Tour but was miserable living in Blytheville, her hometown.

1987: Turning Professional

In the summer of 1987, John Daly turned professional, marking the beginning of his career as a professional golfer.

1987: First Pro Victory at the Missouri Open

Shortly after turning professional in 1987, John Daly secured his first professional victory at the Missouri Open, signaling early success in his career.

1989: Playing Minor Events and Southern African Tour

From 1987 to 1989, John Daly primarily played in minor events around the U.S. and had success on the Southern African Tour, gaining experience and building his skills.

1989: Hospitalized for alcohol poisoning

From 1989 to 1993, John Daly was hospitalized four times for alcohol poisoning.

1990: Daly and Crafton Divorce

In 1990, John Daly and Dale Crafton divorced due to irreconcilable differences.

1990: Quit drinking whiskey

In 1990, John Daly claimed he quit drinking whiskey, opting for other alcoholic drinks because whiskey was interfering too much with his golf game.

1990: Earning Ben Hogan Tour Privileges

In 1990, John Daly earned full playing privileges on the Ben Hogan Tour by winning the qualifying tournament, marking a significant step in his career progression.

1990: Winning Ben Hogan Utah Classic

In 1990, John Daly won the Ben Hogan Utah Classic, adding another victory to his growing list of accomplishments.

1991: Earning PGA Tour Privileges

In 1990, John Daly finished T-12 at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, earning him 1991 PGA Tour privileges, which was a significant milestone in his career.

1991: Victory in the 1991 PGA Championship

In 1991, John Daly achieved a remarkable 'zero-to-hero' victory in the PGA Championship, marking one of his greatest on-course accomplishments. He was the ninth alternate for the tournament and had to drive through the night to claim his spot after Nick Price withdrew. Daly finished the tournament with scores of 69-67-69-71, giving him a three-stroke victory over veteran Bruce Lietzke.

1991: Leading PGA Tour in Driving Distance

In 1991, John Daly began a period of dominance in driving distance, leading the PGA Tour in this statistic.

1991: Joining PGA Tour and Winning PGA Championship

In 1991, John Daly joined the PGA Tour, showed strong play throughout the year, and won the PGA Championship in August. This victory brought him significant media attention and international fame.

1991: PGA Championship Victory Impact

Under pressure from his 1991 PGA Championship victory, Daly started the 1992 season with several top 10 finishes.

December 1992: Daly Charged with Assault

In December 1992, John Daly was charged with third-degree assault for allegedly throwing his second wife, Bettye Fulford, into a wall at their home near Denver. The circumstances of the incident were unclear, and Bettye did not pursue the matter. Daly has stated that he has never hit or hurt a woman.

1992: Winning the B.C. Open

In 1992, John Daly recovered from a difficult PGA Championship to win the B.C. Open by six strokes, securing his second PGA Tour title.

1993: Reaching the Green of Hole 17 at Baltusrol in Two Strokes

In 1993, John Daly added to his reputation as a power hitter by becoming the first player to reach the green of the 630-yard hole 17 at Baltusrol Golf Club's Lower Course in two strokes.

1993: Entered alcohol rehab

In late 1993, John Daly entered alcohol rehab. After rehab, he reportedly went on candy and burger eating binges to reduce the need to drink alcohol.

1993: Suspension by the PGA Tour and Entering Alcohol Rehab

In late 1993, John Daly was suspended by the PGA Tour due to behavioral issues and entered alcohol rehab for three weeks before returning to the Tour.

1993: 1993 Season Performance

John Daly's 1993 season was his least successful since joining the PGA Tour. He notably finished T-3 at the Masters Tournament. Daly won the Alfred Dunhill Cup with Fred Couples and Payne Stewart.

July 1994: Claimed many PGA golfers were cocaine users

In July 1994, John Daly claimed that many PGA golfers were cocaine users, and said that if drug testing was done properly on tour, he would be "one of the cleanest guys out there". This statement brought an uproar among the pro golf community.

1994: Davis Love III Leads PGA Tour in Driving Distance

In 1994, Davis Love III broke John Daly's streak by leading the PGA Tour in driving distance.

1994: Turbulent Year and BellSouth Classic Win

In 1994, John Daly experienced a turbulent year, including a suspension from the PGA Tour, entering alcohol rehab, and winning the BellSouth Classic, which he claimed was his first sober win. He was suspended by the PGA Tour from late 1993 into early 1994.

1994: Candy and burger binges

In 1994, John Daly was reportedly on candy and burger eating binges to reduce the need to drink alcohol. This was in full force when Daly won the 1994 BellSouth Classic.

June 1, 1995: Birth of Daly's Daughter

On June 1, 1995, a daughter was born to John Daly and Paulette Dean.

1995: Continuing with Golf and Drinking Habits

After winning the 1995 Open Championship, John Daly continued with his golf game and drinking habits, leading to a win drought.

1995: Victory in the 1995 Open Championship

In 1995, John Daly secured a playoff victory over Costantino Rocca in the Open Championship, adding another significant achievement to his career. This victory further solidified his reputation in the world of golf.

1995: Winning The Open Championship

In 1995, John Daly unexpectedly won The Open Championship in a playoff with Costantino Rocca at the Old Course at St Andrews.

1995: Candy and burger binges

In 1995, John Daly was reportedly on candy and burger eating binges to reduce the need to drink alcohol. This was in full force when Daly won the 1995 Open Championship.

1996: 1996 Season Performance

In 1996, Daly's only win was at the AT&T Australian Skins Game, which was neither a PGA or European Tour event. Daly finished T-19 at The Players Championship and had a top-10 finish at the Kemper Open. At the 1996 U.S. Open, Daly finished T-27.

1996: Reportedly started drinking alcohol again

In 1996, John Daly reportedly started drinking alcohol again, claiming he only drank a few beers.

1997: Averaging Over 300 Yards Per Drive

In 1997, John Daly became the first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards per drive over a full season, according to official performance statistics.

1997: Second time in alcohol rehabilitation center

In 1997, John Daly fell back into his excessive drinking habits and checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation center for the second time. He also lost his sponsorships with Wilson and Reebok during this time.

1997: Struggles and Withdrawal from U.S. Open

The 1997 season was one of John Daly's worst on the PGA Tour. He withdrew from the U.S. Open after a first-round 77 due to his physical conditioning and Delirium tremens. He was also reportedly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at this time.

1998: Suffered alcoholic shakes at Greater Vancouver Open

During the 1998 season, while John Daly was recovering from alcoholism, he suffered alcoholic shakes during the first round of the Greater Vancouver Open.

1998: Recording High Score at Bay Hill Invitational

In 1998, John Daly recorded one of the highest scores on a single hole in PGA Tour golf history, shooting an 18 on the sixth hole at the Bay Hill Invitational.

1999: Relapsed and lost sponsorship with Callaway

During the 1999 season, John Daly relapsed and started drinking again after missing the cut at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. He then lost his sponsorship with Callaway due to his relapse.

1999: Averaging Over 300 Yards Per Drive Again

From 1999 to 2008, John Daly continued to average more than 300 yards per drive every year, maintaining his status as one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour.

1999: 1999 Season Performance

In 1999, Daly won the JCPenney Classic, which was neither a PGA or European Tour event. He had a weak PGA Tour season, with only three top-25 finishes. At the 1999 U.S. Open, Daly finished 68th place.

1999: Daly and Dean Divorce

In 1999, John Daly and Paulette Dean divorced.

1999: Daly's Gambling Losses and Financial Struggles

In 1999, it was reported that John Daly had lost $51 million from gambling in the mid-1990s. The effects of his gambling habits led to him selling his Mercedes and his house in California. Daly faced difficulties paying alimony, child support, and other expenses due to financial strain from gambling losses and struggles in his career.

2000: 2000 Season Performance

John Daly had a horrific 2000 season on the PGA Tour, with only one top-25 finish at the Honda Classic. He also withdrew from the U.S. Open after shooting an opening round 83.

2000: Drinking on and off during the decade

Starting in 2000, John Daly reportedly drank on and off throughout the decade. However, it seemed he had a lot more control over his drinking habits and rowdy behavior during the 2000s.

July 29, 2001: Daly Marries Sherrie Miller

On July 29, 2001, John Daly married Sherrie Miller.

2001: BMW International Open win

In 2001, John Daly won the BMW International Open by one stroke over Pádraig Harrington. He scored a personal best of 27 under par for four rounds. This was Daly's first European Tour event win in six years.

2002: Leading PGA Tour in Driving Distance For The Last Time

2002 marked the last time that John Daly led the PGA Tour in driving distance, concluding a period of dominance in this statistic.

2002: Inducted into Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame

In 2002, John Daly was inducted into the Arkansas Golf Hall of Fame. He also achieved two top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour with 4th-place finishes at the Buick Invitational and the Phoenix Open. He made the cut at the 2002 Masters finishing T-32, which would be his last time making the cut at the Masters. Additionally, he won the Champions Challenge.

July 23, 2003: Birth of Daly's Son

On July 23, 2003, John Daly and Sherrie Miller's son was born.

2003: Korea Open Win

In 2003, John Daly had a less successful season, although he did finish T-7 at the Shell Houston Open. He won two other tournaments that were neither PGA Tour nor European Tour events, including the 2003 Korea Open, which was the most prestigious event on the Korean Tour.

2003: Only Player To Average Over 300 Yards Until 2003

Until 2003, John Daly was the only player on the PGA Tour to average more than 300 yards per drive in a season, highlighting his dominance in driving distance during that period.

2004: Last PGA Tour Victory

In 2004, John Daly achieved his last PGA Tour victory in San Diego, which earned him a two-year playing exemption.

2004: Appearance in Tiger Woods PGA Tour Video Game

In 2004, John Daly appeared in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series.

2004: Buick Invitational Win and Comeback Player of the Year

In 2004, John Daly won the Buick Invitational in a playoff against Luke Donald and Chris Riley. Daly was also selected as PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year for 2004. Daly's victory marked his first tournament using Dunlop golf equipment and his first win in 189 PGA Tour events.

October 2005: Daly Loses $1.5 Million Gambling After Tournament

In October 2005, John Daly lost $1.5 million gambling after winning half that amount at the WGC-American Express tournament. He lost most of it on a $5,000 Las Vegas slot machine at Wynn Casino.

2005: Daly Sues Florida Times-Union for Libel

In 2005, John Daly sued the Florida Times-Union for libel after a columnist claimed Daly "failed the scoundrel sniff test."

2005: WGC-American Express Championship Playoff Loss

In 2005, at the WGC-American Express Championship, John Daly tied with Tiger Woods after regulation play. However, Daly missed a short par putt on the 2nd extra playoff hole, leading to Tiger Woods' victory. In the same year, Daly reached a playoff at the Shell Houston Open but lost to Vijay Singh on the first extra hole.

2006: Career Downturn

After 2006, John Daly's golf career began to decline, and he faced challenges in making cuts and maintaining his position on the PGA Tour.

2006: Daly Reveals Gambling Problem in Autobiography

In 2006, Daly revealed in his autobiography that he had lost between $50 and $60 million over a 15-year period due to his gambling problem.

2006: Launched John Daly Wines

In 2006, John Daly launched a wine label named John Daly Wines; the label later went defunct.

2006: Decline in form

In 2006, John Daly's form declined, as he only made cuts in 8 of 21 events and withdrew from five events. He achieved only one Top-25 finish, a T-17 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

March 1, 2007: Withdrawal from Honda Classic

On March 1, 2007, John Daly was invited to play in the Honda Classic on a sponsor's exemption but was forced to withdraw after two holes. He pulled a muscle near his shoulder blade trying to stop his backswing after a fan snapped a picture.

June 8, 2007: Daly and Sherrie Miller Get into a Fight

On June 8, 2007, John Daly and Sherrie Miller had a fight at a restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. Daly claimed Sherrie attacked him with a steak knife later that night. He showed up for his second round with cuts and scrapes across his face. Authorities were contacted, but Sherrie had already left with their son.

2007: Lacked exempt status on PGA Tour

In 2007, John Daly entered the PGA Tour season without full exempt status for the first time since his 1991 PGA Championship victory. He relied upon sponsor exemptions to gain entry to PGA Tour events.

2007: Backup vocals in Kid Rock song

In 2007, John Daly provided back-up vocals in the Kid Rock song, "Half Your Age".

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2007: Injury Sustained at Honda Classic

John Daly sustained an injury at the 2007 Honda Classic.

March 2008: Butch Harmon Quit as Swing Coach

In March 2008, John Daly's swing coach, Butch Harmon, quit, stating that "the most important thing in (Daly's) life is getting drunk." Daly responded by saying, "I think his lies kind of destroyed my life for a little bit."

October 26, 2008: Taken into protective custody by Winston-Salem police

On October 26, 2008, John Daly was taken into protective custody by Winston-Salem police after being found drunk outside a Hooters restaurant. He was not arrested or charged, but the police released his mug shot, resulting in negative publicity.

2008: Last Year Averaging Over 300 Yards Per Drive

2008 marked the last year that John Daly averaged more than 300 yards per drive, concluding a decade-long streak of achieving this feat.

2008: Competition on the European Tour after Suspension

Following his suspension in 2008, John Daly was compelled to participate in the European Tour. He underwent lap-band surgery to lose 40 pounds, which led to improved performance, including a second-place finish at the Italian Open.

2008: Daly Wins Lawsuit Against Hippo Golf

In 2008, John Daly sued Hippo Golf for using his name on a golf club without his permission. The judge ruled in favor of Daly but denied his motion for Hippo Golf to pay damages.

May 26, 2009: Return to PGA Tour via sponsor's exemption

On May 26, 2009, John Daly announced his return to the PGA Tour via a sponsor's exemption for the St. Jude Classic.

July 2009: Claims to be losing confidence in his game

In late July 2009 after shooting a then personal-high 88 at the Buick Open, John Daly claimed to be losing confidence in his game. His swing coach blamed the surgery for making him lose muscle along with weight, taking power away from his swing, but Daly blamed his high golf score on poor eyesight affecting his putting.

December 8, 2009: Shed well over 100 pounds

John Daly had lap-band surgery in early 2009. As of December 8, 2009, Daly had shed well over 100 pounds and was "a slim, trim 185".

2009: Last Appearance in Tiger Woods PGA Tour Video Game

In 2009, John Daly made his last appearance in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series.

2009: Libel Suit Dismissed; Daly Ordered to Pay Legal Fees

In 2009, a judge threw out John Daly's libel case against the Florida Times-Union, stating that Daly failed to prove the statements were untrue. Daly was also ordered to pay the newspaper over $300,000 in legal fees.

April 2010: Released second music album, I Only Know One Way

In April 2010, John Daly released his second music album titled "I Only Know One Way" on Long Ball Records/Hopesong Digital/GMV Nashville. He co-wrote eight tracks on the album. One track features Darius Rucker from Hootie And The Blowfish, and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

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July 15, 2010: Confirmed positive change in personal life at The Open Championship

Shortly after the October 2008 incident, John Daly committed to stop drinking alcohol, resulting in a resurgence of his game and a positive change in his personal life, which was confirmed by Daly himself at The Open Championship on July 15, 2010.

December 17, 2010: Daly Awarded Custody of Son; Sherrie Jailed

On December 17, 2010, in Memphis, Circuit Court Judge Donna Fields awarded John Daly custody of his seven-year-old son with Sherrie Miller. Sherrie was jailed for interfering with Daly's court-ordered visitation rights and failing to abide by court orders in their ongoing divorce proceeding, with the judge citing "criminal contempt."

2010: Partnership with Oxygen Games for John Daly's Prostroke Golf

In 2010, John Daly partnered with publisher Oxygen Games for John Daly's Prostroke Golf, a video game for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. In the game, John Daly is both an instructor and an opponent for players across twelve courses modeled after real-world courses.

2010: Daly Sues Charity and PGA Tour

In 2010, John Daly sued a children's charity and the PGA Tour for $100 million related to an injury he sustained at the 2007 Honda Classic.

2012: Finished 18th at the PGA Championship

John Daly shot a score of 68 for the first round of the 2012 PGA Championship. He finished 18th place in that tournament, which was his first top 20 finish in a major championship since the Open in 2005.

March 14, 2014: Shot a career worst 90 at the Valspar Championship

On March 14, 2014, during the second round of the Valspar Championship, John Daly shot a career-worst score of 90, which included an 8-over-par 12 on the 16th hole.

August 6, 2014: Interview on The Dan Patrick Show

In an interview on The Dan Patrick Show on August 6, 2014, John Daly said that much of his past struggle with alcohol was due to growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father.

December 6, 2014: Won the Beko Classic

On December 6, 2014, John Daly won the Beko Classic, an event sanctioned by the PGAs of Europe, with a score of -15. This marked Daly's first win in over 10 years.

December 2014: Won the Beko Classic

In December 2014, John Daly won the Beko Classic at Gloria Golf Club in Belek, Antalya, Turkey, an event sanctioned by the PGA of Europe. This was Daly's first professional tournament win since 2004.

2014: Signed an endorsement deal with Rock Bottom Golf

In 2014, John Daly signed an endorsement deal with Rock Bottom Golf, a discount golf retailer. He also has a partnership with the Loudmouth Golf line of clothing, which includes licensing deals with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and Arkansas Razorbacks.

2015: Litigation Ongoing

As of 2015, the litigation between John Daly, a children's charity and the PGA Tour was still ongoing.

2015: Failed to regain European Tour card

At the end of 2015, John Daly attempted to regain his European Tour card in Shanghai. He finished T-46 at the BMW Masters and T-50 at the Turkish Airlines Open, failing to secure his card.

April 28, 2016: Turned 50 and eligible for PGA Tour Champions

On April 28, 2016, John Daly turned 50 years old, making him eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions. His debut was at the Insperity Invitational in May, where he finished tied for 17th.

2016: Joining the PGA Tour Champions Circuit

Since 2016, John Daly has been competing on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, marking a new phase in his professional golf career.

May 7, 2017: Won the Insperity Invitational

On May 7, 2017, John Daly secured victory at the Insperity Invitational on the PGA Tour Champions, finishing with a score of 14-under par for the tournament. This marked his first win in a PGA Tour-affiliated event since 2004, occurring exactly one year after his debut on the PGA Tour Champions.

2017: Winning the 2017 Insperity Invitational

In 2017, John Daly won the Insperity Invitational on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, adding another victory to his career achievements.

July 2019: Near-death experience due to spider bite

In July 2019, John Daly had a near-death experience after being reportedly bitten by a brown recluse spider while he was vacationing in England. He developed sepsis and required emergency surgery.

September 2020: Daly Announces Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

In September 2020, John Daly disclosed his recent diagnosis of bladder cancer. He underwent surgery, but doctors indicated an 85% chance of recurrence. Daly planned to adopt a healthier lifestyle, reducing smoking and consumption of Diet Coke, to lower the risk of the cancer returning.

2020: Non-Chronological Results

In 2020, results were not in chronological order.

2022: Daly Advocates for Cannabis Legalization in Arkansas

In 2022, John Daly advocated for the legalization of cannabis in Arkansas, endorsing a ballot measure that he claimed would generate "millions in new funding for our police, ... thousands of good jobs, [and] revenue for our state".

February 20, 2023: Relies on sponsor invitations

As of February 20, 2023, despite having career earnings of $10,270,681, John Daly is not among the top 50 on the PGA Tour's All-Time Career Money List, and he relies on sponsor invitations (PGA Tour Exemption Category 11).