Harper Lin
John Patrick Daly (born April 28, 1966), commonly known as Long John, is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Daly is known for his powerful driving distance off the tee, his exceptionally long backswing, and his inconsistent play. Despite undergoing 16 surgeries, Daly continues to play golf and compete in tournaments. Daly has also found success in various business ventures, including endorsements, music, and a golf course design company.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Patrick Daly |
| Born | April 28, 1966 |
| Birthplace | Carmichael, California |
| College | University of Arkansas |
| Turned Pro | 1987 |
| Career Wins | 5 |
| Known For | Driving distance off the tee, exceptionally long backswing, inconsistency of his play, his personal life |
| Nickname | Long John |
| Business Ventures | Endorsed by LoudMouth Golf Apparel, owns a golf course design company, released two music albums |
| Health | Has had 16 surgeries, skipping the 2025 PGA Championship |
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What You'll Learn
John Daly's golfing career
John Patrick Daly (born April 28, 1966), often referred to by his nickname "Long John", is an American professional golfer known for his driving distance off the tee. Daly turned pro in 1987 and has had a golfing career filled with both exceptional performances and controversial incidents. Daly is also known for his non-country-club appearance and attitude, his exceptionally long backswing, and the inconsistency of his play.
Daly's career winnings totalled $10,270,681 as of February 20, 2023, but he does not feature in the top 50 on the PGA Tour's All-Time Career Money List. He has to rely on sponsor invitations to participate in PGA Tour events. Daly is exempt for life in the PGA Championship and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, and up to the age of 60 in the Open Championship. Daly's last PGA Tour victory was in San Diego in 2004, earning him a two-year exemption. After 2006, his career began to falter, and he struggled to make cuts and stay on the tour.
Daly's two greatest on-course accomplishments are his "zero-to-hero" victory in the 1991 PGA Championship and his playoff victory over Costantino Rocca in the 1995 Open Championship. In addition to his wins in the United States, Daly has won accredited pro events in South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Scotland, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, and Canada. Daly became the first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards per drive over a full season in 1997. He added to his reputation as a power hitter in 1993, becoming the first and only player to reach the green of the famous 630-yard hole 17 at Baltusrol Golf Club's Lower Course in two strokes.
Daly has also been successful in multiple businesses outside of golf. He is endorsed by LoudMouth Golf Apparel and owns a golf course design company. Additionally, Daly has written and recorded music, releasing two music albums.
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Daly's health and surgeries
John Daly, the professional golfer, has had a series of health issues and surgeries over the years. In January 2025, the 58-year-old underwent emergency hand surgery in Tampa, Florida, and shared a positive update on his recovery on social media. Daly has endured 16 surgeries in total throughout his life, including a recent procedure, and has experienced several health challenges.
Daly's health issues have included a battle with bladder cancer in 2020, which he announced was in remission in February of that year. He has also been open about his struggles with alcohol, spending time in rehab on multiple occasions. In addition, Daly has discussed his heavy smoking habit, admitting to smoking up to 40 cigarettes a day, and his efforts to quit. He also revealed that he used to drink large amounts of Diet Coke, sometimes consuming up to 28 cans a day.
In 2013, Daly faced a health scare while vacationing in England when he was bitten by a brown recluse spider and subsequently developed sepsis, requiring emergency surgery. This incident highlights the serious and unexpected nature of some of the health challenges he has faced.
Despite his health issues and multiple surgeries, Daly remains active in golf and competed in 16 events on the PGA Tour Champions in 2024. He also participated in the PNC Championship in December 2024 with his son, John Daly II, showcasing his ongoing dedication to the sport. Daly's resilience and positive attitude towards his recovery have been notable throughout his health journey.
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His political views
John Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Daly has expressed interest in political matters and has even endorsed former US President Donald Trump during his election campaign. Daly attended a presidential debate as Trump's guest in 2020.
Daly's political views can be described as conservative, given his support for Trump. He has also expressed his opinions on a few other political matters. For instance, in 2022, Daly urged the citizens of Arkansas to vote in favour of 'Issue 4', which aimed to legalise cannabis in the state. He argued that doing so would increase access, triple the number of stores, more than double the growing facilities, create millions in new funding for police, and generate thousands of jobs.
Daly has also shared his views on the LIV Golf Invitational Series, stating that he believes both the LIV Golf and PGA Tour can benefit from the situation. He also expressed surprise at the harsh treatment of Phil Mickelson, who had also expressed his intention to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
In addition to his political views, Daly is known for his unconventional personality and behaviour, including his drinking and smoking habits, which have been a part of his public image for decades. He has been open about his alcohol consumption and has even admitted to drinking during tournaments. For example, he shared a story about drinking with his caddie during a round against Tiger Woods, where he still managed to beat Woods' score.
Overall, John Daly continues to be an active voice in the golf world, both on and off the course, and has not been afraid to express his political views when he deems it necessary.
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Business ventures
John Daly is an American professional golfer born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California. Daly owns a golf course design company called JD Designs, which specializes in designing golf courses. He also owns the Sevillano Links at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, California, and John Daly Pizza. Daly has endorsement deals with LoudMouth Golf Apparel, Goodboy Vodka, Wentz Financial Group, SUNFISH, Mark Christopher Auto Center, SuperStroke Grips, Druh Belts & Buckles, Mo Betta Golf, and The Chivery. He has also released two music albums. Daly has been featured in video games such as "Everybody's Golf" and "John Daly's Prostroke Golf," where he appears as an instructor. In addition to his business ventures, Daly is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and has advocated for the legalization of cannabis in Arkansas.
Daly's career in golf has been marked by a combination of exceptional performances and controversial incidents. He is known for his driving distance off the tee, earning him the nickname "Long John." His two greatest on-course accomplishments are his ""zero-to-hero" victory in the 1991 PGA Championship and his playoff victory over Costantino Rocca in the 1995 Open Championship. Daly has also won accredited pro events in several countries, including South Africa, Germany, and South Korea. In 1997, he became the first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards per drive over a full season.
In addition to his golf career, Daly has ventured into various business endeavors. He has leveraged his fame and reputation in the golfing world to establish himself as a successful entrepreneur. Daly's business ventures primarily revolve around golf, including course design, endorsements, and sponsorships. His company, JD Designs, specializes in designing golf courses, and he also owns the Sevillano Links golf course in California. Daly's endorsement deals with companies like LoudMouth Golf Apparel and Goodboy Vodka, among others, further showcase his business acumen and understanding of brand value.
Beyond the golf industry, Daly has explored other business opportunities. He has released two music albums, showcasing a creative side beyond athletics. Additionally, Daly has capitalized on his fame by partnering with publishers to release video games featuring his likeness, such as "John Daly's Prostroke Golf." This diversification into entertainment demonstrates his recognition of the value of personal branding. Daly's business ventures have not only contributed to his financial success but have also allowed him to explore different areas of interest and connect with fans and consumers beyond the golf course.
John Daly's business ventures highlight his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build a brand beyond his golfing career. Through his companies, endorsements, and sponsorships, Daly has established himself as a successful businessman. By diversifying his portfolio and leveraging his fame, Daly has created a lasting impact that extends beyond his athletic accomplishments. Daly's business endeavors continue to evolve, and his name remains prominent both in the world of golf and in the business sphere.
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Daly's personal life
John Daly's personal life has been marked by several ups and downs, including struggles with alcohol, gambling, and health issues. Born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, Daly grew up in a working-class family with a construction worker father and a homemaker mother. The family moved frequently during his childhood, residing in small towns across the Southern states.
Daly's father was an alcoholic and abusive, which took a toll on the young golfer. He started playing golf at the age of five at the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club in Dardanelle, Arkansas, after his family moved there when he was four. Daly's golfing idol growing up was Jack Nicklaus. At the age of ten, his family moved again to Locust Grove, Orange County, Virginia, where he continued to hone his golfing skills.
As an adult, Daly has faced public struggles with alcohol. In 2008, his swing coach, Butch Harmon, quit, citing Daly's drinking as the main issue. The same year, Daly was taken into protective custody by police after being found drunk outside a Hooters restaurant. This incident prompted him to quit drinking, which he said positively impacted his life and career.
Daly has also faced criticism for his gambling habits, reportedly losing $51 million in the mid-1990s. He has also advocated for the legalization of cannabis in Arkansas and expressed support for Donald Trump.
In September 2020, Daly revealed that he had undergone surgery for bladder cancer and was working on improving his previously unhealthy lifestyle, which included smoking and excessive consumption of Diet Coke.
Despite the challenges, Daly has found success in multiple ventures outside of golf. He has released two music albums, with the first featuring guest vocals by Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Lee. He has also written and recorded music, appearing as a backup vocalist in the 2007 Kid Rock song "Half Your Age." Additionally, he has endorsed LoudMouth Golf Apparel and owns a golf course design company.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Daly is still an active golfer. Despite having 16 surgeries, he continues to play in the golf tour.
John Daly is known for his driving distance off the tee, his exceptionally long backswing, and his powerful swing. He is also known for his non-country-club appearance and attitude, and the inconsistency of his play.
John Daly's two greatest on-course accomplishments are his "zero-to-hero" victory in the 1991 PGA Championship and his playoff victory over Costantino Rocca in the 1995 Open Championship.
