golfrewind.com

I don't really follow Butch Harmon at all, so I don't really know what to think about this. I think it's kind of sorry that Daly is playing on sponsors exceptions and just **** off. On the other hand, he's having a good time and whether he likes to drink or not is really none of my business I suppose.

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ESPN - Harmon says he's tired of Daly's behavior, drops him as client - Golf

ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Daly has been cut loose by swing coach Butch Harmon, who said Tuesday he was not going to waste his time with a two-time major champion who is more interested in drinking than working on his golf game.

"My whole goal for him was he's got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life," Harmon said from his golf school in Las Vegas. "And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk."

Harmon said he has worked three times this year with Daly, but he said Daly's behavior at the PODS Championship was enough to end the short-lived relationship.

Daly, playing on a sponsor's exemption because he no longer has his full PGA Tour card, spent a 2½-hour rain delay during the first round in a Hooters corporate tent behind the 17th green at Innisbrook. He was 3 over, and when play resumed, he had Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden caddie for him the rest of the day. Daly ended up with a 77.

He followed that with an 80 in the second round to miss the cut.

"He would work hard and get better, but when things don't go right, it's back to the alcohol stuff," Harmon said. "I love this kid. He's a tremendous talent. But if he's not going to give 100 percent effort, it's a waste of my time."

Daly spent Saturday at the Hooters "Owl's Nest" at the tournament, drinking beer, mingling with fans and signing autographs, including one on the back of a woman's pants.

"I've let him know that after his actions of last weekend, we are no longer together," Harmon said. "In all honesty, I'm a very busy person. I'm willing to help the kid, but until he helps himself and makes golf his No. 1 priority, I'm not his guy.

"Jon Gruden caddying, I thought was ridiculous. I thought he made a circus out of the whole event."

Daly, who is playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational on a sponsor's exemption, could not be located for comment.

Harmon is regarded as among the best swing coaches in golf, working with Tiger Woods before he turned pro and overhauling Woods' swing when the world's No. 1 player won four consecutive majors. He also worked with Greg Norman when he was No. 1, and his current clientele includes Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.

Daly was the ninth alternate when he won the PGA Championship in 1991 at Crooked Stick, and he captured the British Open at St. Andrews four years later. His last victory came four years ago at the Buick Invitational, but his game has been in a tailspin ever since, and his personal life has been as rocky as ever.

He played last year primarily on sponsor exemptions and was plagued by a rib injury, suffered when he stopped his swing at the Honda Classic upon hearing the click of a fan's camera. Daly is contemplating a lawsuit against the tournament, which gave him an exemption.

In seven events this year, he has missed the cut three times and withdrew from the Bob Hope Classic, where he was spotted at several after-hour parties. His best finish was a tie for 60th in Mexico, an opposite-field event.

But it was his behavior at Innisbrook that set off Harmon.

"You don't see guys who are any good doing that," he said. "All the guys I work with are working their [tails] off. John didn't have it. I like the kid, but he's got to get his head on straight. The partying and other shenanigans, if that's the way he wants to be, I don't choose to be a part of it."

I like the guy, but I really fear for his life. Health or depression, in the end, they are going to catch up with him.

The picture in the paper of Daly that accompanied the article was painful to look at. He must be a good 100 lbs overweight--all from drinking. I am amazed that he still putts so well because he surely must have the shakes. What a great talent going to waste. At his current rate of downward spiral, death by accident, medical reasons or suicide is inevitable in the near future. Kudos to Harmon for not enabling the train wreck coming. WAKE UP AND COME BACK TO FORM BIG JOHN!!

And now Daly gets DQ'ed from Arnie's tourney for not showing up for the Pro-Am. He's likely to end up dead within the year.

Personally I think Harmon is an idiot.

Now Arnold Dumps Daly

Daly doesn't show up for pro-am round at Bay Hill - Golf - Yahoo! Sports

I think the funniest thing is that Harmon refers to Daly as "kid." I can see calling Adam Scott a kid (not that he's all that young), but Daly is going to be 42 this year. Maybe it's the way he acts... like a college frat brother or something.

"Prolonged adolescense" strikes again. Another athlete with tremendous gifts chooses to give it all back. It is so sad to see all that talent and future going down the drain.