Tag: John Daly

Lucas Glover returns to Port Royal GC for Butterfield Bermuda Championship 13 years after proclaiming of signature hole, ‘Man, I’ve never been more nervous on a shot’

Port Royal Golf Course is short on the scorecard at a mere 6,828 yards but long on demands for precision shotmaking.

What a long, strange trip it has been for Lucas Glover.

Winning the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black has become the signature victory of four PGA Tour titles since turning pro out of Clemson in 2001. Among the spoils at the time for Glover was a berth in the Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course on the western tip of Bermuda.

Glover returns this week to Southampton, Bermuda, to compete in the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship, where he’ll be the only player in the 132-man field with a plaque on the course: “Man, I’ve never been so nervous on a shot.”

The 16th tee at Port Royal Golf Club in Bermuda. (Mark Williams/PGA Tour)

The marker recognizes Glover’s victory in the now-defunct event, which consisted of that season’s four major winners. It sits on the back tee box of the infamous 235-yard par-3 16th hole, which demands a tee shot to a spit of land that practically hangs over the water. Until Tuesday, Glover had only seen the plaque in photos that friends had sent him. He explained that his quote was less about the difficulty of the shot at the Robert Trent Jones Sr. design than teeing off steps away from the South Shore cliff and fearing the potential plunge.

“It’s good to be back. It’s always good to come back to a place where you have had success,” said Glover, whose caddie this week is Steve Lambert Jr., moonlighting from his regular job as the head golf professional at Port Royal. “It’s 13 years ago, so it doesn’t even matter anymore, but it’s always nice to be where you’ve had some success.”

Glover, 42, ended a decade-long victory drought at the 2021 John Deere Classic and last season snuck into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where he had his best result of the year to date at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, finishing tied for third.

“I had a good playoffs, let’s put it that way. It wasn’t a great year leading up to it, but took advantage of being in Memphis,” he said last week at the CJ Cup in South Carolina. “Yeah, I still feel like I can play out here.”

He returns to a course that is short on the scorecard – at a mere 6,828 yards it is the shortest course of those used for Tour events – but long on demands for precision shotmaking. Its winding fairways are banked by blooming oleander and whispering casuarina pines and its hilltop greens afford stunning views of turquoise sea, craggy coral rock formations, swaying palm trees and white-roofed, pastel cottages.

The back nine is considered more attractive – with views of Hamilton Harbor from Nos. 11 and 12 – as well as more challenging because the wind frequently blows from the west. Describing it as a triumph of design over distance, Seamus Power, who finished T-12 last year and is one of 10 players to make the cut in all three editions of this event, said the fickle wind off the ocean makes up for a lack of length.

“The course is kind of designed for it, which I like. It kind of helps you picture some of the shots with wind directions,” said Power, noting he’s hit both sand wedge and 3-wood for his second shot at the 517-yard par-5, seventh hole. “I’ve seen it in all different winds at this point and it’s just fun, all sorts of different shots here, uphill and down, makes it fun to play, makes it challenging, but it’s kind of enjoyable.”

The field lacks star power – at No. 48 in the world, Power is the top-ranked player in the field with just four more players inside the top 100. Also missing is defending champion Lucas Herbert, who opted to attend a wedding back home in Australia.

But a win here comes with plenty of perks and as a standalone event for the third straight year, it dishes out 500 FedEx Cup points to the champion. European Tour Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, hungry Korn Ferry Tour grads such as Taylor Montgomery and S.H. Kim, who already have proven they belong in the big leagues, 56-year-old fan favorite John Daly and 18-year-old future star Caleb Surratt, a freshman at Tennessee, are all in the field.

Should they ever decide to add a plaque at Port Royal for Power, the 35-year-old Irishman happily would take it at another of the course’s postcard par-3 holes.

“You walk back to 8 tee and then you turn back around, it’s really our first time seeing the ocean on the course,” he said. “I always think that moment is gorgeous there. You’re just seeing the sunshine off the water and it’s spectacular.”

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Photos: 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course

Tough to beat island golf.

The PGA Tour’s sixth event on the 2022-23 schedule is the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course, a par-71, 6,828-yard Robert Trent Jones-designed track.

The top-ranked player in the field at No. 48 in the world, Seamus Power managed the windy weekend conditions the best to claim his second Tour win.

Power poured in a 25-foot downhill birdie putt at No. 14 and withstood a couple of late bogeys to notch a one-stroke victory.

Thomas Detry finished solo second, a shot back. Patrick Rodgers, Kevin Yu and Ben Griffin tied for third at 17 under, two shots back.

Bermuda: Money list | Leaderboard

Check out some of the best photos from the week in Bermuda.

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John Daly on the big screen? According to a report, Jonah Hill is set to star as the ‘Bad Boy of Golf’

The film will dive into the “excesses, scandals and athletic achievements” of Daly, according to Above the Line.

John Daly is arguably the most interesting man in the history of golf. The beers, the cigarettes, the god-given talent and his impeccable mullet.

Now, his story is set to be told on the big screen.

According to a report from Above the Line, movie superstar Jonah Hill, known for roles in “Wolf of Wall Street,” “Moneyball” and “Superbad,” will portray Daly in an upcoming biopic.

The film will dive into the “excesses, scandals and athletic achievements” of the two-time major champion, according to ATL.

The 56-year-old won the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick and the 1995 Open Championship at the Old Course. In total, he took home five PGA Tour titles.

Photo by J.D. Cuban/ALLSPORT.

Above the Line says Anthony Maras, director of Hotel Mumbai (2018), is set to direct the project.

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Report: Arkansas legend John Daly to get his own movie, to be played by Jonah Hill

John Daly, the iconic and colorful pro golfer and noted Arkansas fan, may have a movie about his life soon, per a report.

Honestly, that’s the best choice.

John Daly, one of the most colorful professional athletes of the 20th century and noted Arkansas superfan, has always had the sort of life that could make for a heck of a movie. Turns out, someone is going to make it.

According to a report by Above the Line, a biopic motion picture is being slated about Daly and the actor to play him is none other than Jonah Hill.

Per the report, the movie is very much in the development stages. No writer has been hired. It’s in pitch status only, but the green light has been turned on. The movie would, in theory, focus on the “excesses, scandals and athletic achievements” of Daly.

Daly, 56, grew up in Dardanelle, Arkansas, and attended the U of A from 1984 to 1987. He won the PGA Championship in 1991 and the Open Championship in 1995.

Hill has played real-life sports figures before, too. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Paul DePodesta, assistant manager of the Oakland Athletics, in the 2011 movie “Moneyball.”

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Watch: John Daly explaining his groin injury is perfectly on-brand — and he’s two off the lead at Ascension

“The pro-am was so long and I waited and I kind of went at a drive and the L-2 kind of goes to your private parts …”

Give John Daly a minute or two, and he’ll let loose. Even if he’s genuinely attempting to show some restraint.

Despite an injury to his groin, the University of Arkansas product shot a 67 in Friday’s opening round of the Ascension Charity Classic at Norwood Hills Country Club near St. Louis. Daly used consecutive birdies on holes 15, 16 and 17 to finish the day just two shots behind co-leaders Padraig Harrington and Bernhard Langer.

This effort came despite an injury that nearly led him to withdraw from the 54-hole event, which is the 20th tournament on the circuit this season. Daly blamed slow play at Thursday’s pro-am for contributing to the ailment.

“I actually don’t want to talk about it, but the L-2, I guess I pinched it yesterday on No. 2,” Daly said. “The pro-am was so long and I waited and I kind of went at a drive and the L-2 kind of goes to your private parts and I’ve been hurting since then. I mean, the guys stretched me and gave me some pills to take.”

After a second or two of prodding, Daly finally explained the pain he suffered through.

“I feel like somebody kicked me in the nuts, is that the way I want to say it? Yeah, it’s been like that ever since I played the pro-am yesterday,” he said.  “Painful last night, then I saw the guys this morning and they kind of stretched me a little. It was brutal.”

Daly has just a single top-10 finish in 14 starts on the PGA Tour Champions this year, a T-8 at the American Family Insurance Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, back in June.

In early August, Daly told Piers Morgan he begged Greg Norman to be a part of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, the breakaway league offering huge signing bonuses, giant purses, 54-hole tournaments and no cuts.

He went on to explain how much better he thinks the LIV circuit is compared to the PGA Tour or even the PGA Tour Champions, where Daly spends most of his playing time now.

“I played with Brian Harman in a practice round, and with some other guys in some of the practice rounds at the British Open and it’s like, we play pro-ams, we get it. OK. That’s what is the backbone of a lot of our tournaments. But, Brian Harman says, give us a box of chocolates for the effort.

“I play two to three pro-ams every week on the Champions tour and we don’t play for a lot of money on the Champions tour so I almost feel like, ‘OK, I’m not getting a lot out of this. What are we doing?’”

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Sports fans were delighted by John Daly throwing wicked heat on a ceremonial first pitch

Does it get any cooler than a great first pitch while wearing flip-flops?

There are few personalities as unique in pro sports as John Daly’s. The long-time golfing legend has built a persona around his colorful (and surly) demeanor, his straight-shooting attitude, some wonderful outfits, and, of course, having plenty of talent to be a golfer on the PGA Tour.

I’m not a detective by any means, but we might be forgetting one of Daly’s talents he doesn’t get to share too often — his rocket arm on the baseball mound.

Before the Cardinals (-1.5) and Nationals squared off on Wednesday night, Daly was marked down for the ceremonial first pitch. He did not disappoint:

Man, that’s a live arm. Right to the catcher’s glove and a smooth delivery as can be. And in flip-flops! I mean, no hyperbole, that’s honestly one of the better first pitches I’ve personally ever seen.

At this point, it might be fair to wonder — is there anything Daly can’t do?

John Daly, Miss Missouri throw out first pitches at St. Louis Cardinals game

John Daly and the PGA Tour Champions are in St. Louis for the Ascension Charity Classic.

John Daly was a special guest of the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night and was called upon to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Washington Nationals.

Clad in a red Cardinals shirt, some funky patterned Cardinals shorts (that frankly are just his style) and wearing blue slides on his feet, Daly wasted now time approaching the mound, then turning and firing a strike, right over the middle of the plate.

Daly shared the pre-game spotlight with Miss Missouri, Clare Marie Kuebler, who also threw out a first pitch.

Daly is in the Gateway City along with the rest of the PGA Tour Champions gang for the Ascension Charity Classic, Friday through Sunday at Norwood Hills Country Club.

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John Daly is ready for football, declares: ‘I’m not gonna lie, I’m drunk’

Woo Pig, indeed.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are starting off the 2022 college football season with a bang in their season opener, hosting the Cincinnati Bearcats fresh off a playoff run. All of Fayetteville is rowdy and ready, the atmosphere heightened even more by the presence of SEC Network’s game-day show, “SEC Nation”. Of course it wouldn’t be right to have such a festive atmosphere at Arkansas without perhaps the most notable Razorback fan of all, legendary golfer/partier John Daly. The man did not disappoint.

Daly started off his appearance on SEC Nation like any good tailgater would — with a game of beer pong, albeit with the difficulty level turned way down.

As the morning progressed, Daly was clearly starting to ease into party mode, and got the crowd going by teeing off with an exploding golf ball.

By the time Daly sat down for a light, fun “Hillbilly Headlines” segment with Marty & McGee, he found himself in a moment of clarity many a game-day partier is familiar with.

Happy college football season to all of us, especially John Daly. Woo Pig, indeed.

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John Daly: ‘I begged Greg Norman to let me be on the LIV tour’

John Daly on the LIV Series: “It’s a big party, they play for a lot of money.”

John Daly was a guest on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show and shortly into the six-minute interview, revealed he really wanted to be a part of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, the breakaway league offering huge signing bonuses, giant purses, 54-hole tournaments and no cuts so that every golfer gets something for their efforts. And Daly wasn’t shy about it.

“I begged Greg Norman to let me be on the LIV tour,” he said.

He went on to explain how much better he thinks the LIV circuit is compared to the PGA Tour or even the PGA Tour Champions, where Daly spends most of his playing time now.

“I played with Brian Harman in a practice round, and with some other guys in some of the practice rounds at the British Open and it’s like, we play pro-ams, we get it. OK. That’s what is the backbone of a lot of our tournaments. But, Brian Harman says, give us a box of chocolates for the effort.

“I play two to three pro-ams every week on the Champions tour and we don’t play for a lot of money on the Champions tour so I almost feel like, ‘OK, I’m not getting a lot out of this. What are we doing?’

“Look, I’d rather play with amateurs than the pros sometimes but we’ve gotta get compensated for that. The LIV tour is giving players that. They play pro-ams, it’s a big party, they play for a lot of money, which these guys that are on that tour, deserve that money. And I think there’s a lot of other guys that deserve that money.

And then using both hands to point to himself, Daly said: “Especially this old man.”

Morgan then mentioned a piece he wrote for the New York Post about the hypocrisy of morality in sports “and a lot of the PGA sponsors, for example, do lots of business in the middle east.”

He then asked Daly his opinion on hypocrisy in sports, particularly golf.

“Piers, let’s not talk about that. They don’t want to be mentioned in that because of, you know, all the labor laws and stuff. It’s unbelievable. The politics is so stupid in this. I could talk about Nike, I could talk about other companies. Little eight-year-olds are building shoes for Nike. OK. We don’t want to get into that, right? You want to talk about labor laws. We’re talking about golf. Guys that are playing golf. It’s an international sport.

“The Prince of Saudi Arabia is a great guy and he’s given so much money to golfers that deserve it. Well, there are some that aren’t deserving [motions to himself again] because I should be on that tour.”

Daly admitted he’s too old but also seemed to indicate that perhaps Norman may not be inviting any more golfers to LIV.

“Greg says he’s not doing anymore.”

Daly went on to say that Bryson DeChambeau told him at the Open Championship that LIV Golf “is the greatest thing on earth. We still play a pro-am. … we play for a lot of money, which we deserve to play for.”

Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.

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Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Collin Morikawa among those who missed the cut at 2022 British Open

The number of major champions who will miss the final two rounds reached double digits.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Most every golfer in the world dreams of making a pilgrimage to the Home of Golf, its stunning assortment of links a top draw. The ancient city’s history opens eyes, as well. And an array of shops, pubs and restaurants adds to the powerful lure.

Even for those who have made the journey over and over again still can’t wait to return to this seaside village.

Leaving, however, is dreaded. Downright painful.

But leave is what many of the players in the 150th Open Championship did after the cut was made in the oldest tournament in golf. The number of major champions who will miss the final two rounds reached double digits.

The cut fell at even-par 144, with the top 70 and ties advancing.