John Daly (golfer)'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of John Daly (golfer).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.