Two packs of cigarettes and four chocolate bars – John Daly shot opening round 82 in style at PGA Championship
As all eyes were on Xander Schauffele at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard last year, John Daly was up to his usual antics at the bottom. Daly was making his 30th start at the tournament, automatically qualifying to play each year after winning the major in 1991. Daly had an unusual approach to his opening round at ValhallaGetty The 59-year-old has never stuck to usual traditions when it comes to a professional round of golf and that certainly wasn’t going to change last year. In the opening round at Valhalla, Daly finished 11-over-par, carding an 82 to sit second bottom. He was permitted to drive himself around on a golf cart while his caddie carried his clubs. And while riding his way around the course, he made sure his experience in Louisville, Kentucky was a good one. According to a reporter, they overheard a volunteer who was working with Daly’s group chatting about his first round. Daly is said to have smoked two packs of cigarettes, eaten four Snickers bars and drank two bottles of Coke throughout the opening 18 holes! The two-time major champion didn’t seem to care about being at the peak of his fitness but he certainly enjoyed himself. However, his opening round 82 did leave him 155th out of 156 players, sitting only above Jeffrey Kellen. And sadly for the golfing icon, he was then forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a thumb injury. Daly also had to pull out of The Open at Royal Troon last July and it remains to be seen if the 1995 Claret Jug winner will tee it up at Royal Portrush this summer. View Tweet: https://twitter.com/GabbyHerzig/status/1791255102285639727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Daly has regularly been spotted smoking and drinking on the courseGetty Daly underwent emergency hand surgery in mid-January, sparking health fears among his loyal fanbase. But ‘Wild Thing’ vowed to ‘be hitting em again soon’ in his social media post from his hospital bed. Fans will now miss Daly at the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The two-time major winner has not been listed in the official field for the 2025 tournament but has got another tee time coming up instead. Daly will be in action at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama – the first of five majors on the PGA Tour Champions. Fans will miss Daly at the upcoming 2025 PGA ChampionshipGetty In a strange scheduling quirk, the event is being play in the same week as the PGA Championship. Daly said: “I can go there (to Quail Hollow) and miss the cut and get $6,000. But I’m playing Birmingham. “I love Regions, they’re a great sponsor. “But why are they scheduling Regions the same week as the PGA Championship, where I can see Brooks [Koepka] and all the guys?” The 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow will get up and running on May 15 and talkSPORT will keep you across all the action. The Open 2025 Hospitality Enjoy a 3-night weekend getaway with hospitality for both Saturday and Sunday of The Open 2025. Stay in comfort at the Hilton Templepatrick, with transfers included and exclusive access to the Your Golf Travel Clubhouse. All this from just £2,495 per person – don’t miss your chance to be part of golf’s biggest event in ultimate style. Plan your dream golf trip HERE.
As all eyes were on Xander Schauffele at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard last year, John Daly was up to his usual antics at the bottom.
Daly was making his 30th start at the tournament, automatically qualifying to play each year after winning the major in 1991.
The 59-year-old has never stuck to usual traditions when it comes to a professional round of golf and that certainly wasn’t going to change last year.
In the opening round at Valhalla, Daly finished 11-over-par, carding an 82 to sit second bottom.
He was permitted to drive himself around on a golf cart while his caddie carried his clubs.
And while riding his way around the course, he made sure his experience in Louisville, Kentucky was a good one.
According to a reporter, they overheard a volunteer who was working with Daly’s group chatting about his first round.
Daly is said to have smoked two packs of cigarettes, eaten four Snickers bars and drank two bottles of Coke throughout the opening 18 holes!
The two-time major champion didn’t seem to care about being at the peak of his fitness but he certainly enjoyed himself.
However, his opening round 82 did leave him 155th out of 156 players, sitting only above Jeffrey Kellen.
And sadly for the golfing icon, he was then forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a thumb injury.
Daly also had to pull out of The Open at Royal Troon last July and it remains to be seen if the 1995 Claret Jug winner will tee it up at Royal Portrush this summer.
Daly underwent emergency hand surgery in mid-January, sparking health fears among his loyal fanbase.
But ‘Wild Thing’ vowed to ‘be hitting em again soon’ in his social media post from his hospital bed.
Fans will now miss Daly at the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
The two-time major winner has not been listed in the official field for the 2025 tournament but has got another tee time coming up instead.
Daly will be in action at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama – the first of five majors on the PGA Tour Champions.
In a strange scheduling quirk, the event is being play in the same week as the PGA Championship.
Daly said: “I can go there (to Quail Hollow) and miss the cut and get $6,000. But I’m playing Birmingham.
“I love Regions, they’re a great sponsor.
“But why are they scheduling Regions the same week as the PGA Championship, where I can see Brooks [Koepka] and all the guys?”
The 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow will get up and running on May 15 and talkSPORT will keep you across all the action.
The Open 2025 Hospitality
Enjoy a 3-night weekend getaway with hospitality for both Saturday and Sunday of The Open 2025.
Stay in comfort at the Hilton Templepatrick, with transfers included and exclusive access to the Your Golf Travel Clubhouse.
All this from just £2,495 per person – don’t miss your chance to be part of golf’s biggest event in ultimate style.
Plan your dream golf trip HERE.
