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John Daly certainly likes his booze. That is no secret. But with his latest misstep at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it seems the Big John's love of the fast (and irresponsible) life causing him major problems yet again.
No player is more beloved by the fans (and most of the players) on tour as Daly. Fans see in him the every man. The man who can pound the ball with an unorthodox swing. A man whose personal life is just as erratic as his golf game. A man who can not seem to tame his demons and allow himself to be a complete success. Basically, a flawed human being. Just like the rest of us.
Daly's latest misstep was not showing up to the pro-am round Wednesday of the event held by living legend Arnold Palmer. It's not that Daly wasn't interested in playing in the tournament, he said, it's just that he thought his tee time was an hour later than it actually was. Big John said he was actually on the way to the course when he found out he had the wrong time. Certainly sounds like a "dog ate my homework story."
Or to be more precise, it sounds like the hungover employee calling in to the office to tell them that his car broke down and he'd be a little late. Unfortunately for Daly, he is not like the rest of us and the PGA Tour of America, and the sponsors who offered Daly the exemption to play in the tournament, are a little more worried about their public image than Joe Blow's boss.
And therein lies part of the problem. Daly sees himself as just a regular guy, hoping to get the breaks afforded many of the general public. (That is not to say all bosses understand the occasional tardiness.) Daly's lack of responsibility and respect for the tour, sponsors and fans seem to be leading him to the place of no more chances.
Daly's actions have been excused in the past, when his erratic behavior seemingly only affected him. But on Wednesday morning, Daly's acts had a trickle down effect.
Ryuji Imada and Nick O'Hern thought they were slotted to be alternates for the afternoon session, but when Daly was disqualified, they were suddenly required to be playing. Naturally, neither was near the course, so they too were disqualified. Messing with your own livelihood is one thing, but affecting other players' is quite another.
"When I should have been on the tee, I was giving my girls breakfast," O'Hern said. "I thought common sense would have prevailed. This is a tough one to take. Unfortunately, we got caught up in John's snowball effect."
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