John Daly – `Grip it and Rip it`

John Daly well what can i say other than he has had an eventful life and has one hek of a story to share. Which is more amazing -  that John Daly is still alive or that he still has the game to win a major? During his Up and Down career, John has battled the bottle, ex-wives (4 of them might I add) and his own demons, all with equal desperation. Yet through good times and bad, he has managed to build on his folk-hero status with fans who are fascinated by his “grip it and rip it” style. In the end, the most amazing thing about John is that his best golf might be ahead of him.

John Daly AKA The Lion or JD was born in Carmichael, California.  His family moved from California to Dardanelle, Arkansas and his golfing career started.  He started playing at the age of 4 and by the time he was in high school he was a letterman in golf.  Daly attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the golf team.  Daly then turned professional in 1987, and won the Ben Hogan Utah Classic in 1990.  He enjoys writing lyrics and playing guitar. He recorded a largely autobiographical album entitled “My Life,” featuring guest performances by Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson, Johnny Lee and Daron Norwood. Instead of flying to tournament sites, purchased a large RV and drives to many events. Daly is involved in many charitable causes, most notably Make-a-Wish Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

John Daly in 2010 looking healthy and stylish with his `Outrageous golf pants`

JD now has a stable girlfriend Anna Cladakis has been a big part of John Daly’s comeback. If you see John Daly actually playing golf instead of landing in the drunk tank, thanks Anna Cladakis .  A former Hooters girl who has done a sterling job of helping Daly along, both as his girlfriend and now his promotional director.

JD and current Girlfriend - Anna Cladakis who is being credited with helping JD climb back into the ranks of professional golf. Big up to her.

John Daly has only recently cleaned up his act after been suspended (This being his 5th suspension in his career) from the PGA Tour for 6 months after a series of off-course incidents in 2008 that brought negative publicity to the PGA Tour. After lapband surgery to restrict his eating in February 2009 and changing his diet and lifestyle that had him up to 280 pounds on the golf course, Daly has lost 115 pounds and returned to the PGA Tour in June 2009 in the pursuit of his next victory which will keep his golfing career alive.

Here are 2 stories from his autobiography to give you a little insight into how rocky his life has been!

JD in a prison suit after being put in a cell over night to sober up

John Daly said that he has lost between $50 million and $60 million during 12 years of heavy gambling. Daly discussed his addiction to gambling in the final chapter of his autobiography, “John Daly: My Life In and Out of the Rough,”. He told one story of earning $750,000 when he lost in a playoff to Tiger Woods in San Francisco at a 1995 World Golf Championship. Instead of going home, he drove to Las Vegas and says he lost $1.65 million in five hours playing mostly $5,000 slot machines. How Crazy is that!

John’s alcohol problems reached a crescendo in December of 1992. During a Christmas party at their new five-bedroom home in Castle Pines, he and Betty got into a nasty fight. According to reports, after becoming sloppy drunk, John pushed over a big-screen TV, punched a few holes into the wall, then shoved his wife into a wall while pulling her hair. Hoping to clear his head, he drove back home to Dardanelle. John later admitted that he considered suicide during that trip. When he returned to Castle Pines four days later, the story hit the newspapers, and John was arrested for third-degree assault. How messed up is that!

But to be completely honest John Daly is one of the most generous and one of the kindest souls you could meet. The stories of his generosity to people are legendary. The only person he has ever been unkind to is himself.

JD’s Profile

 
Career Wins

 John Daly has had 19 professional wins in his career including 2 Majors – PGA Championship 1991 and the British Open 1995 and 8 PGA & European Tour Wins – BC Open 1992, Bell South Classic 1994, BMW International Open 2001, Buick Invitational 2004 to name a few. Some how I think he still has a win in him. Come on JD what a comeback that would be. As John Daly Says `Grip it and Rip it`. Booooom!

JD going from Zero to Hero in 1991 after winning his first major the PGA Championship

Visit John Daly’s website `The Lions Den` at www.johndaly.com where he sells his outrageous loudmouth golf pants, I only know one way CD, Lion signature products, John Daly pizza, Grips and his Auto biography `My life in and out of the rough`. All that because he can.

JD and Kid Rock - sorry I had to throw that one in there it's classic!

 To top it all off he has his own Reality show BEING JOHN DALY, now that’s pretty hardcore.