John Daly's Marital Status: A Golfer's Love Life

is golfer john daly married

John Patrick Daly, born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, is an American professional golfer known for his powerful driving distance. Daly has had a successful career spanning decades, with victories in major championships such as the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship. He is also known for his unique fashion sense and his struggles with alcohol. Daly has been married four times and is the father of three children: daughters Shynah and Sierra, and son John Daly II, a nationally ranked golfer following in his father's footsteps. Daly's son was born to his fourth wife, Miller, while his previous marriages produced his two daughters.

Characteristics Values
Full Name John Patrick Daly
Date of Birth 28 April 1966
Place of Birth Carmichael, California, United States
Father's Name Jim Daly
Mother's Name Lou Daly
Siblings 1 older sister and 1 older brother named Jamie
Spouses Bettye Fulford (ex-wife), Paulette Dean (ex-wife), Sherrie Miller (ex-wife), and 1 unknown spouse
Children 3 (Shynah, Sierra, and John Daly II)
Career Professional Golfer, Country Music Singer, Clothing Line Partner, Wine Label Owner, Cannabis Products Entrepreneur, Golf Course Designer, and Backup Vocalist

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John Daly's marriages and children

John Daly, the American professional golfer, has been married four times. Daly's first marriage was to Dale Crafton, a model from a wealthy family in Arkansas, in 1987. The marriage ended in divorce in 1990.

A few months after his divorce from Crafton, Daly met his second wife, Bettye Fulford, and they married in early 1992. Daly's first child, a daughter named Shynah Hale Daly, was born to the couple in the early '90s. However, the marriage was short-lived, and Daly filed for divorce in July 1993. Fulford obtained custody of Shynah, and Daly maintained a close relationship with his eldest child, speaking to her frequently and spending summers and holidays together. Shynah eventually worked for her father, running his shop for several years.

Daly's third wife was Paulette Dean, with whom he shares his second daughter, Sierra Lynn Daly. However, the couple split when Sierra was young, and she has lived a relatively private life as an adult. In an interview in May 2022, Daly shared that Sierra was working in insurance in Hot Springs.

Daly's only son, John Patrick Daly II, also known as "Little John," was born to his fourth wife, Sherrie Miller. Daly and Miller's relationship ended after a fight during which she reportedly came at him with a steak knife. Miller served a six-month jail term, but the authorities and the couple themselves have not confirmed the events.

Daly has been in a relationship with Anna Cladakis since 2007, and the couple got engaged in 2014. They have maintained a steady relationship for over 15 years, and Cladakis is often photographed with Daly and his children.

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Daly's career as a golfer

John Patrick Daly is an American professional golfer born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California. Daly started playing golf at the age of five after his family moved to Dardanelle, Arkansas. He is known for his powerful golf swing, driving distance off the tee, and inconsistent play, with a mix of exceptional performances and controversial incidents. Daly turned pro in 1987 and joined the PGA Tour, where he quickly gained recognition for his unique style and personality.

Daly's two most notable achievements are his come-from-behind victory in the 1991 PGA Championship and his playoff win over Costantino Rocca in the 1995 Open Championship. In the 1991 PGA Championship, Daly, then a relatively unknown golfer, stunned the golf world by coming from seven strokes behind in the final round to claim the title. This victory propelled him into the spotlight and earned him the nickname "Long John."

Throughout his career, Daly has had several notable incidents that have contributed to his "Wild Thing" image. For example, during an exhibition at the 1993 Fred Meyer Challenge, he hit balls over the heads of spectators, infuriating fellow golfer Peter Jacobsen. Daly has also struggled with alcohol addiction, which has impacted his career. However, after committing to sobriety in 2008, he experienced a resurgence in his game and personal life.

In addition to his PGA Tour wins, Daly has won accredited pro events worldwide, including in South Africa, Germany, South Korea, and Canada. He is the only golfer from Europe or the United States to win two major championships and not be selected for the Ryder Cup. Despite his successes, Daly has also faced challenges, including a decline in performance after 2006, which led to him primarily relying on sponsor invitations to enter PGA Tour events.

Beyond his golfing career, Daly has ventured into business endeavours, including endorsements, a golf course design company, and a wine label. He has also pursued music, releasing two albums and contributing vocals to a Kid Rock song in 2007. Daly's last PGA Tour victory was in 2004 in San Diego, and he continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, achieving success later in his career.

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His business ventures and brand deals

John Daly has been successful in multiple business ventures. He is endorsed by LoudMouth Golf Apparel, which has made millions of profits after partnering with him. Daly has been sporting LoudMouth branded pants on the golf course for years, attracting many fans with his unique style. He also owns a golf course design company called JD Designs and has his own line of cannabis in partnership with HYMAN. Additionally, he has a beverage and mixers brand called GoodBoy Vodka, and has released two music albums. Daly's most recent business venture is a bar in Nashville, Tennessee, named John Daly's Bar.

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The golfer's personal struggles

John Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions, known for his powerful swing and inconsistent performance. Daly has had a number of personal struggles throughout his life, including issues with alcohol, his health, and his public image.

Daly's struggles with alcohol are well-documented. In 2008, his swing coach, Butch Harmon, quit, publicly stating that "the most important thing in [Daly's] life is getting drunk." This comment reportedly "destroyed [his] life for a bit", and shortly after, Daly was taken into protective custody by police after being found drunk outside a Hooters restaurant. Following this incident, Daly gave up alcohol, which he credits with improving his life and his golf game. He has attributed his past struggles with alcohol to his abusive, alcoholic father.

Daly has also faced a number of health struggles. In 2025, he revealed that he had "been dead 11 times", alluding to a long list of medical procedures he has undergone over the years. In 2025, he underwent emergency hand surgery, and in 2023, he launched a line of cannabis products, indicating that he may have been struggling with health issues for some time.

In addition to his health and alcohol issues, Daly has also faced public scrutiny and controversy due to his behaviour during golf tournaments. His "Wild Thing" image is a result of several incidents, including disqualifications and fines for breaking rules, and showing off his driving talents by hitting balls over the heads of spectators.

Despite these personal struggles, Daly has achieved success in his career, with victories in the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship, as well as accredited pro event wins in South Africa, Germany, South Korea, and several other countries. He is also a singer, having released two music albums, and a golf course designer, with several courses to his name.

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Daly's family background

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 driving distance off the tee, earning him the nickname "Long John", his inconsistent play, and his personal life. Daly's family, solidly working-class, moved frequently during his formative years, living in small towns across the Southern states.

Daly's father, Jim Daly, was a construction worker for industrial plants, often working night shifts and commuting long distances between work and home. His mother, Lou Daly, was a homemaker. Daly has an older sister and an older brother named Jamie. When Daly was four years old, his family moved from California to Dardanelle, Arkansas, and it was there that he first started playing golf at the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club.

At the age of ten, Daly's family moved again, this time to Locust Grove, Orange County, Virginia. He continued to play golf at the Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Locust Grove, where he won the spring club championship at just 13 years old, defeating all the male members. Daly has had a successful golf career, with victories in the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship. He has also won accredited pro events in various countries, including South Africa, Germany, and Canada.

In addition to his golf career, Daly is known for his involvement in charities, particularly in northwest Arkansas. He has donated money to various organizations, including his high school, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Daly has also supported sports programs at the University of Arkansas. Outside of golf, Daly has pursued other interests, including music, with multiple album releases, and business ventures such as his clothing line, John Daly Wines, and endorsement deals with companies like Rock Bottom Golf.

Frequently asked questions

John Daly has been married four times. He is currently married to his fourth wife, Sherrie Miller, with whom he shares a son named John Patrick Daly II, also known as "Little John" or John Daly II. Daly II is a nationally ranked golfer who has competed alongside his father.

The name of John Daly's first wife is unknown.

John Daly's second wife was Bettye Fulford, with whom he shares a daughter named Shynah.

John Daly's third wife was Paulette Dean, with whom he shares a daughter named Sierra.

Yes, John Daly is a father to three children: daughters Shynah and Sierra, and son John Daly II.

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