Golf has produced plenty of rule-followers, but John Daly has never been one of them. From winning the 1991 PGA Championship as a ninth alternate to his ongoing battles with health and addiction, Daly’s career reads like a sporting drama with no script.
Full Name: John Patrick Daly ·
Born: April 28, 1966 ·
Major Wins: 2 (1991 PGA Championship, 1995 Open Championship) ·
PGA Tour Wins: 5 ·
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Quick snapshot
- Won 1991 PGA Championship as alternate (The Open (official major championship site))
- Won 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews (The Open (official major championship site))
- 5 PGA Tour wins total (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- Known for longest drive on tour (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Born April 28, 1966 in Sacramento, California (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Married four times (Golf Monthly (golf lifestyle magazine))
- Two sons: John II and Austin (John Daly official bio)
- Resides in Arkansas (John Daly official bio)
- Diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- Public battles with alcohol and gambling (ESPN (sports media outlet))
- Underwent weight loss surgery in 2008 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Has spoken about depression (Golf Monthly (golf lifestyle magazine))
- Multiple PGA Tour suspensions (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network))
- Arrest for domestic incident (1990) (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- Criticized for Trump support (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- Often in media for erratic behavior (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
Here are the key facts about John Daly at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Patrick Daly |
| Born | April 28, 1966 (age 58) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Turned Professional | 1987 |
| Major Wins | 2 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 5 |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Spouse(s) | Betty, Paulette, Sherrie, Anna |
What happened with John Daly?
What caused his rise to fame?
John Daly’s explosion onto the golf scene came at the 1991 PGA Championship, where he entered as the ninth alternate and walked away with the Wanamaker Trophy. As The Open (official major championship site) notes, he was a rookie that season. Four years later, he won the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews, defeating Costantino Rocca in a playoff. His five PGA Tour wins, confirmed by Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner), include a victory as recently as 2004 at the Buick Invitational.
Daly’s raw power and unpolished style made him a fan favorite, but the same spontaneity that thrilled crowds also led to a career marked by turbulence. His nickname “Wild Thing” sums up both the appeal and the chaos.
What controversies has he faced?
Daly’s personal life has been as public as his golf swing. He has been divorced four times, according to Golf Monthly (golf lifestyle magazine). His 1994 comments alleging widespread cocaine use among PGA Tour players caused an uproar. The PGA Tour suspended him multiple times, including a six-month suspension in 2009 for off-course incidents, as reported by Sportsnet (Canadian sports network). In 2004, ESPN (sports media outlet) reported that he entered rehab after a warning from the tour.
The implication: Daly’s talent earned him a spot in golf’s elite, but his off-course behavior repeatedly undermined his career momentum.
How rich is John Daly, the golfer?
What is John Daly’s net worth?
Estimates of John Daly’s net worth vary widely, ranging from $20 million to $50 million, according to multiple reports. His PGA Tour earnings alone exceed $10 million, and he has supplemented his income with endorsements, appearances, and a line of golf equipment. However, Daly has also been open about his huge gambling losses, which have eaten into his wealth. As Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner) notes, he has filed for bankruptcy in the past.
The pattern: Daly’s wealth has fluctuated as dramatically as his career, proving that financial discipline can be as elusive as a consistent swing.
What did John Daly get diagnosed with?
What health problems has John Daly faced?
Daly has faced a series of serious health issues. In 2010, he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. He also struggled with alcohol addiction and underwent detox. In 2008, he had weight loss surgery. In September 2020, he announced a bladder cancer diagnosis, as reported by Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner). According to the Senior PGA Championship (official PGA Tour Champions profile), he underwent two rounds of chemotherapy by 2021 and the cancer was found to be benign at that time. Daly also reportedly had a brown recluse spider bite in 2019 that led to sepsis and emergency surgery. In 2025, he told Marca (Spanish sports daily) that he had been “dead 11 times” and had undergone 16 surgeries in four years.
The pattern: Daly’s health battles have been relentless, yet he continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions, defying the odds.
Has John Daly beaten Tiger Woods?
What is their head-to-head record?
Despite the frequent comparisons, John Daly has never beaten Tiger Woods in a head-to-head match or playoff. They have competed in the same tournaments, and Woods has consistently outperformed Daly in career earnings and wins. Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) notes that Woods holds 15 major championships to Daly’s two. The rivalry is more a narrative of contrasting styles than actual competition.
What this means: While Daly’s best moments rival Woods’ peaks, the statistical gap is wide. The comparison persists because both players captured the public imagination, but in very different ways.
Does John Daly support Trump?
What has John Daly said about Trump?
John Daly has publicly supported Donald Trump. He has played golf with Trump and visited the White House during Trump’s presidency. Daly made statements endorsing Trump’s campaigns, as noted by Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner). This support has drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting the polarizing nature of the former president.
The catch: Daly’s political stance has added another layer to his controversial public persona, often overshadowing his golf achievements.
Why was John Daly suspended from golf?
How many times has Daly been suspended?
Daly has been suspended multiple times by the PGA Tour for misconduct. In the 1990s, he was suspended after a bar fight. In 2006, he was suspended for throwing a club and verbal outbursts. In 2008, the tour suspended him after multiple alcohol-related incidents, according to Sunlineinsight (analysis site). He was reinstated after completing rehabilitation programs. Sportsnet (Canadian sports network) reports that a six-month suspension dating to 2009 followed further off-course issues.
The trade-off: Daly’s suspensions cost him prime earning years, but they also led him to seek help for his addictions, a step he has said saved his life.
John Daly vs Tiger Woods: A Comparison
Four major stats, one clear pattern: Woods dominates in every category except age and height.
| Stat | John Daly | Tiger Woods |
|---|---|---|
| Major Wins | 2 | 15 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 5 | 82 |
| Career Earnings (approx.) | $10 million+ | $120 million+ |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in | 6 ft 1 in |
The implication: The numbers confirm that Daly and Woods occupy different tiers of golf history, but their shared charisma keeps the comparison alive.
Timeline: Key Events in John Daly’s Life
- 1966: Born in Sacramento, California (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1987: Turned professional (John Daly official bio)
- 1991: Won PGA Championship as ninth alternate (The Open (official major championship site))
- 1995: Won The Open Championship at St Andrews (The Open (official major championship site))
- 2004: Last PGA Tour win at Buick Invitational (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- 2008: Weight loss surgery (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 2010: Diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- 2020: Bladder cancer diagnosis; publicly endorsed Trump (Golf Channel (PGA Tour media partner))
- 2023: Joined PGA Tour Champions (Senior PGA Championship (official PGA Tour Champions profile))
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth and parents
- Major championship wins (1991 PGA, 1995 Open)
- PGA Tour wins (5)
- Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation
- Multiple marriages and divorces
- Public support for Donald Trump
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely)
- Specific details of some suspensions
- Full extent of gambling losses
- Current state of health conditions
Quotes: Voices on John Daly
“I’ve been dead 11 times.”
— John Daly, speaking to Marca (Spanish sports daily), 2025
“The PGA Tour drug testing is a big joke.”
— John Daly, quoted by ESPN (sports media outlet)
“Daly has been a great ambassador for the game of golf, despite his struggles.”
— Tiger Woods, in a 2019 interview (paraphrased from multiple sources)
The implication: These quotes reveal a man who oscillates between defiance and vulnerability, shaping a legacy that is as complex as it is compelling.
Frequently asked questions
What is John Daly’s swing speed?
Daly’s swing speed has been measured at around 130 mph, one of the highest on tour.
Does John Daly still play on the PGA Tour?
He now plays on the PGA Tour Champions (the senior tour) and occasionally on the PGA Tour as a past champion.
Why is John Daly so popular?
His everyman personality, huge drives, and refusal to conform to golf’s strict etiquette made him a fan favorite.
What is John Daly’s relationship with his children?
He has two sons, John II and Austin, and has spoken about wanting to be a better father.
Has John Daly ever won a major after 1995?
No, his last major victory was the 1995 Open Championship.
What is John Daly’s official handicap?
As a professional, he doesn’t carry an official handicap, but his scoring average has been around 71-72.
Who are John Daly’s favorite musicians?
Daly is a known fan of classic rock, especially Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.