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John Patrick Daly (born April 28, 1966) 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 inconsistent play, and his larger-than-life personality. Despite undergoing 16 surgeries, Daly continues to play golf and compete in tournaments. He has won accredited pro events in several countries and is only one of two real people to make an appearance in the Everybody's Golf series.
| 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 |
| Other Achievements | Won spring club championship at age 13, two-time major champion, first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards per drive over a full season |
| Other Endeavours | Endorsed by LoudMouth Golf Apparel, owns a golf course design company, released two music albums |
| Health | Has undergone 16 surgeries, skipping the 2025 PGA Championship |
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What You'll Learn
John Daly's health and surgeries
John Daly, the American professional golfer, has had a series of health issues and surgeries over the years. Despite these challenges, he remains active in the sport and continues to compete, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
Daly has undergone 16 surgeries as of 2025, including a recent emergency hand surgery in January. He shared his recovery journey on social media, expressing gratitude for a successful procedure. At 59 years old, Daly has faced multiple health issues, including bladder cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2020. Reflecting on this scary experience, he admitted to experiencing symptoms such as peeing and puking blood. Fortunately, the cancer was detected early, increasing Daly's chances of recovery.
The golfer has also been open about his struggles with alcohol, having spent time in rehab on multiple occasions. In a 2024 interview, he casually mentioned drinking 20 beverages in a day, indicating that substance abuse continues to be an ongoing challenge for him.
In addition to his bladder cancer and struggles with alcohol, Daly has faced other unexpected health issues. While vacationing in England, he was bitten by a brown recluse spider and subsequently developed sepsis, requiring emergency surgery.
Despite these numerous health setbacks, Daly remains committed to his sport. He returned to the golf course just two months after his hand surgery, competing in the Champions Tour's Hoag Classic in California. Daly's perseverance and positive attitude shine through as he continues to push through the challenges, stating, "Waking up is a win for me."
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Daly's golfing victories
John Daly is an American professional golfer known for his driving distance off the tee, his exceptionally long backswing, and his inconsistent play. Daly's golfing career began at the age of five when he started playing at the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club in Dardanelle, Arkansas. At age 13, he won the spring club championship at the Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Locust Grove, Virginia, defeating all the male members.
Daly's first pro victory came shortly after he turned professional in 1987, at the Missouri Open. From 1987 to 1989, he played mainly in minor events in the US and had some success during the 1989-90 season on the Southern African Tour, winning the AECI Charity Classic and the Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Classic.
Daly joined the PGA Tour in 1991 and had a breakthrough year, winning the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick with a three-stroke victory over Bruce Lietzke. This surprise victory earned him a cult-like fan base and the nickname "Long John". Daly followed up this success in 1993 by 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, further cementing his reputation as a power hitter.
In 1995, Daly won his second Major at St Andrews, beating Costantino Rocca in a playoff to claim the Claret Jug at The Open Championship. In addition to his wins in the US, Daly has won accredited pro events in South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Scotland, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, and Canada. His last PGA Tour victory was in San Diego in 2004. Since 2016, he has competed on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, winning the 2017 Insperity Invitational and the 2021 PNC "Father and Son" Championship with his son, John Daly II.
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His cult-like fan base
John Daly is a well-known American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Daly is known and loved for his powerful swing, driving distance off the tee, his non-country-club appearance and attitude, his exceptionally long backswing, and the inconsistency of his play (with exceptional performances and controversial incidents).
Daly's surprise victory in the 1991 PGA Championship, where he won by three strokes, propelled him to international fame and a cult-like fan base. His powerful swing and zero-to-hero victory attracted many fans who had not previously been interested in golf, and he became one of the most popular players on Tour. Daly's cult-like fan base adores him for his relatable personal struggles, such as gambling debts, weight issues, and alcohol binges. They see him as a regular guy with problems that many people face, which makes him more relatable than other athletes who seem perfect.
Daly's unique personality and playing style have also contributed to his cult-like following. He is known for his bright-coloured pants, jet-blonde hair, and smoking cigars or cigarettes on the golf course. He has been described as a "hell-raising golf legend" and has been nicknamed "Long John" due to his impressive driving distance off the tee.
Daly's popularity has led to success in multiple businesses. He is endorsed by LoudMouth Golf Apparel and owns a golf course design company. Additionally, he has released two music albums and has appeared in various golf video games, including the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series and his own game, John Daly's Prostroke Golf.
Despite not winning a PGA Tour event since 2004, Daly remains one of the game's longest hitters and most popular players. His name continues to draw crowds, and he still receives invitations to participate in tournaments.
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Daly's other ventures
John Daly is an American professional golfer with a net worth of around $2 million. Daly's entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his ventures beyond the golf course. Here is a detailed look at some of his notable business ventures:
Golf Course Design
Daly owns a golf course design company called JD Designs. He has designed several notable golf courses worldwide, including in California, Ireland, Canada, Missouri, and Arkansas. His company specializes in golf course architecture, allowing him to leave his mark on the sport beyond his playing career.
Endorsements and Collaborations
Daly has successfully leveraged his popularity and unique personality to attract lucrative endorsement deals. He has had endorsement deals with LoudMouth Golf Apparel, known for its flamboyant clothing style. Daly's endorsement deals have also included brands like Callaway, Wilson, and Dunlop, which have capitalized on his appeal to a diverse range of fans. In 2014, he expanded his endorsements by signing a deal with Rock Bottom Golf, a discount golf retailer.
Music Career
Daly has also ventured into the music industry, releasing multiple albums, including "My Life" and "Whiskey & Water" (2022). His songs, often inspired by country and southern rock genres, have developed a cult following among his fans. This lesser-known aspect of his career showcases his versatility and ability to connect with his supporters in a different way.
Food and Beverage Industry
Daly has explored the food and beverage industry with ventures like John Daly Pizza and the famous John Daly Cocktail, a twist on the Arnold Palmer drink featuring vodka. He has also collaborated with brands like Goodboy Vodka, further diversifying his business interests.
John Daly's business ventures have helped him maintain financial stability despite his well-documented financial struggles due to gambling losses, multiple divorces, and legal battles. His ability to generate revenue through these diverse ventures and endorsements reflects his resilience and entrepreneurial mindset.
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The golfer's early life
John Patrick Daly, born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, 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 non-country-club appearance and attitude, his exceptionally long backswing, and the inconsistency of his play.
Daly had a working-class upbringing, with his father working as a construction worker for industrial plants and his mother as a homemaker. The Daly family moved frequently during his early years, living in small towns across the Southern states. At the age of four, Daly moved with his family from California to Dardanelle, Arkansas, and it was here that he first started playing golf at the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club.
When Daly was ten, his family moved again to Locust Grove, Orange County, Virginia, where he played golf at the Lake of the Woods Golf Course. Daly's talent was evident from an early age, as he won the spring club championship at just 13 years old, defeating all the male members. Following this victory, the club changed its rules to bar juniors from future open club competitions.
The Dalys then moved to Zachary, Louisiana, where John completed the ninth grade and half of the tenth. He later attended Helias High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he excelled in both football and golf. During his sophomore year, he was a junior golf member at the Jefferson City Country Club and handled punting and place-kicking duties for the Helias football team, which compiled a 10–0 record in 1983.
Daly turned professional in 1987 and secured his first pro victory at the 1987 Missouri Open. He joined the PGA Tour in 1991 and won the PGA Championship that same year, gaining significant media attention due to the nature of his victory. Daly was the ninth and final alternate for the event, and his three-stroke victory earned him PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors.
Daly's powerful swing and surprise victory attracted a cult-like fan base, including many people who had not previously been interested in golf. He added to his reputation as a power hitter in 1993 when he became 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Daly is still an active golfer. He is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
John Patrick Daly was born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, and is currently 59 years old.
Daly is known for his driving distance off the tee, earning him the nickname "Long John", his exceptionally long backswing, and the inconsistency of his play. He is a two-time major champion and has won accredited pro events in nine countries, including the US.
John Daly lived by the mantra "grip it and rip it", and is known for his big drives and big personality. He is also known for his non-country-club appearance and attitude.
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.
