Is John Daly the most unpredictable figure in golf? Not only is John Daly a two-time major champion, but he is also a walking, talking, chain-smoking, Diet Coke-guzzling figure who has an elevated personality beyond accomplishment in golf. Daly has consistently exceeded expectations, from his victory at St. Andrews in the 1995 Open Championship to his 1991 PGA Championship victory as the ninth alternate.
He’s just as colorful off the course; at one point, while using a golf cart due to osteoarthritis, he played a round while smoking two packs of cigarettes, four Snickers bars, and two bottles of Coke. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, Daly’s legendary unpredictability was on full display in a hilarious NFL crossover.
Jon Gruden’s hilarious caddie confession
Recently, Jon Gruden shared a crazy story from the 2008 PODS Championship on the Pardon My Take podcast. During a rain delay, Gruden, who was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the time, was sipping beers at the Hooters Owl’s Nest when Daly’s caddie vanished after consuming a few cocktails. Play was about to restart when Daly turned to face Gruden, who was wearing the caddie’s bib, and said, “You’re wearing the bib, let’s go.” Taken by surprise, Gruden had to carry Daly’s bag for the following few holes.
As Gruden put it, “I had to pee like a rhinoceros. I got this bag and there’s like 14 Diet Cokes in there. Umbrella thing weighed 100 pounds.” As he got closer to the 17th hole, he acknowledged that he was avoiding the greens, didn’t know caddie etiquette, and was finally jeered by spectators yelling “caddy, caddy.” When the Golf Channel later chastised him for his lack of manners, Gruden retorted, “They destroyed me.”
Although Gruden doesn’t recall what JD shot for those few holes, he does remember attempting to avoid getting in the way by avoiding the greens himself. However, the audience became aware of him and began chanting for him, especially at the 17th hole, where he had congregated. Gruden returned to his day job the next day, or perhaps just day drinking. Daly’s unorthodox approach to life and golf is best shown in this episode, frequently blurring the boundaries between spontaneity and professionalism. Daly is a man who can make a rain delay into an unforgettable adventure, and Gruden’s story adds to that mythology.
From laughter to concern: John Daly’s health takes center stage
Daly’s antics have amused fans for decades, but recent events have clouded his name. Daly, who is 59, declared he will not be attending the PGA Championship due to health issues after undergoing an emergency hand procedure earlier this year, which was his 16th surgery. “Waking up is a win for me,” he disclosed, underscoring the gravity of his health issues.
Despite being in remission for four years, Daly’s body has suffered from bladder cancer, which he has been fighting since 2020. He has been playing poorly lately, especially at the Insperity Invitational, where he shot 27 over par. Daly expressed his annoyance at the schedule problem that required him to pick between the PGA Championship and the Regions Tradition, a senior circuit tournament, even though he had a lifetime exemption to the latter.
Resilient by nature, Daly asserted, “I’ve only been dead 11 times,” and compared himself to Lazarus to maintain his resolve to compete. His indomitable spirit and openness about his ailment continue to win him admirers all over the world. A tapestry of victories, hardships, and stories, John Daly’s life makes it difficult to distinguish between myth and fact. Daly exemplifies an attitude that is as unconventional as it is inspirational, whether it is transforming NFL coaches into caddies or tackling severe health concerns with humor and tenacity. Since Daly’s next chapter is always unpredictable, fans can only watch in wonder as he continues to manage the challenges that lie ahead.
The post ‘Destroyed Me’: John Daly Made Ex-NFL Coach a Laughing Stock With Unusual Demand During Golf Event appeared first on EssentiallySports.
