USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
John Daly smokes a cigarette on the golf course.
John Daly has forgotten more about golf than the average player will ever learn. The 60-year-old legend proved he’s built different while competing at the Dick’s Open in New York.
Daly continues to be a fan favorite on the PGA Tour’s Champions circuit. He might’ve lost a little with age, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s just not like us.
That applies to talent, alone. In many ways, he is the most relatable player in the sport. The cigarette smoking, beer guzzling golfer personifies the everyman. It’s the reason for his massive following.
But while embodies and fully embraces that image, he often reminds viewers that might’ve forgotten about his out-of-this-world talent.
John Daly shoots 63 at Dick’s Open.
Daly entered the field at the En-Joie Golf Club having not won a PGA Tour Champions event since 2017. He’s not finished better than 17th this season. He put himself in a position to contend this weekend.
After a +1 first round that included one birdie and two bogeys, Daly played flawlessly. He started his second day with back-to-back birdies. He then eagled on the eighth to finish at 33 on the front nine.
The back nine would be even better. Daly birdied five times to record a 63. He played bogey-free golf in Round 2 – without practice!
@pgatourchampions The keys to success on the course from @John Daly 😂 #golf #PGATOUR
“I haven’t seen a driving range in five years,” he said after being asked about his preparations for the tournament. “I don’t work on my golf game at all.”
Who needs practice?
John Daly has confirmed his stance on driving ranges through his social media accounts in the past. A TikTok video from earlier this month provides a glimpse into his extremely light practice sessions.
@pga_johndaly little flash back with @Bryson DeChambeau for a Mentality Monday 😏 Yall go get you some @Good Boy Vodka to get you through the week🫵🏻 #mentality #golf #mondaymotivation
Daly is a two-time major winner, having finished first at the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship. He also owns a Top 5 at the Masters.
Simply put, he’s been very good at the game of golf for a long time.
In 1992, he won at En-Joie in the BC Open. He was dominant in that tournament, finishing six strokes ahead of the next closest competitor. His latest performance at the venue was reminiscent of that triumph.
“I love everything about (this course),” Daly said on Saturday, though he admitted that his game has slowed with age.
“I don’t hit it as far as I used to, so I’m not hitting 8-irons into these par 5s like I did back then. I’m barely getting to them. It’s a lot tougher golf course. And the golf course is in great shape. It’s probably the longest it’s played.”
Length didn’t matter much on Saturday. He recaptured that ’92 magic for 18 holes. It put him in third place on the leaderboard as he pushes towards hit top finish of the year.