Daly Pays Homage To Stevie Down Under: Smashes Spectator's Camera

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However, unlike Stevie "I gladly chuck Nikon or Canon" Williams, Australian Open contestant John Daly offered to pay for the trashed camera. Sort of like when John Belushi bashes that folk singer's guitar in Animal House, and then shrugs and says sorry. Hey, that's at least two things Daly has in common with Bluto. Well and the drinking part too, so make it three.

After pushing his tee shot wide on the ninth hole -- his last -- Daly walked into a clump of trees, where spectator Brad Clegg tried to take a picture at close range.

Daly reportedly snatched the camera and smashed it against the nearest tree, telling the man, "You want it back, I'll buy you a new one."

Asked if he would seek compensation, Clegg told the Australian Associated Press: "I don't think I'll be chasing him for the money. He's a big bloke!"

"He trudged wearily to the next tee with nary a flicker of emotion."

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John Huggan following John Daly in Australia:

Two days ago, Daly missed the cut – what a shock – at Huntingdale. Rounds of 76 and 73 added up to a 149 total that was four shots too many. His putting was certifiably awful but, as always, he played with a refreshing speed that made one think that he is either a) a welcome throwback to a time when a round of golf in a professional tournament did not closely resemble a death march or b) not that bothered really.

One hole seemed to sum up Daly's current attitude to the game that should have made him a wealthy man. On the 440-yard 11th hole on Friday, he unleashed a mighty drive that, downwind, travelled all of 380 yards. One of his playing companions, former Amateur champion Mikko Ilonen, hit a huge block that led to him losing his ball.

The Finn played three off the tee before hitting a lovely pitch to within inches of the cup. Daly casually flipped a half wedge to maybe 30 feet, then – you guessed it – three-putted to match Ilonen's hard-working bogey. He trudged wearily to the next tee with nary a flicker of emotion.

"I guess he's a walking train wreck and, unfortunately, people turn their heads to watch the train wreck."

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Martin Blake reports that Stuart Appleby is excited about John Daly getting an invite to the Australian Masters field this week.

As the 42-year-old Daly arrived in Melbourne yesterday for the $1.5 million tournament at Huntingdale, Appleby expressed regret that the two-time major championship winner had become far more famous for his off-course antics than any prowess on the fairways.

"That [image] has got to the stage now where that is who John Daly is, unfortunately," he said. "His game hasn't been to the level he wants it, and the sponsors have seen fit to see John Daly [play]. Unfortunately, there's a million guys who hit it as long as John Daly now. Very few, I guess, make it look as effortless as John does, but I don't think John's here because of his world ranking [788].

"I'm not quite sure how that works. I guess he's a walking train wreck and, unfortunately, people turn their heads to watch the train wreck."

"'Can you please go on the Golf Channel and make a retraction?'"

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Bob Harig fleshes out the Daly-Harmon saga, and includes this from Butch:

Reached Wednesday at his golf school near Las Vegas, Harmon had a different version of the conversation.

"John called me last Thursday," Harmon said. "His opening line to me was 'I've lost all my contracts because of what you said. Can you please go on the Golf Channel and make a retraction?'"

This could be the ultimate sign that we should be concerned about John Daly's well being: he thinks a statement on The Golf Channel would actually be heard by a sizeable audience? Get this man help! 

“This is just another strange chapter in the John Daly saga"

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Steve Eubanks follows up on John Daly's remarks in Spain Wednesday about Butch Harmon apologizing for not getting facts right about Long John's drinking regimin.
“That story is complete BS,” Harmon told Yahoo! Sports. “John Daly called me last Thursday and said, ‘Pro you killed me. I’ve lost all my contracts.’ I said to him, ‘John, I’m sorry you lost your contracts, but I haven’t done anything to you. You did it to yourself, and you continue to do it to yourself.’ He asked if I would go on the record with a retraction, and I said no.”

Harmon had installed certain guidelines for Daly to follow for the two to continue working together. They included the pledge that Daly would curtail his drinking and get himself in better shape. When Daly failed to keep his end of the agreement, Harmon fired him in early March.

“This is just another strange chapter in the John Daly saga,” Harmon said. “He takes no responsibility for anything.”

As for Daly’s recent statements, the only thing Harmon agrees with is that the two will not be working together again in the foreseeable future. “Not going to happen,” Harmon said.

John Daly...There Are No Words

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As reader Chuck noted, words fail to describe the video report of John Daly talking about his design work at, well, I don't know even know the name of the course. I was too distracted by the sight of him shirtless and shoeless for a photo op. Which prompted reader Gregory to wonder if John has set the new standard for staged architect photo ops? I think he may be onto something.

A flavor of what the video shows...

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