John Daly: Career, Net Worth, Health, and Controversies

Golf has always loved an underdog, but few have lived the role quite like John Daly. He burst onto the scene as a last-minute alternate and won the 1991 PGA Championship, setting off a career that would see both major glory and personal chaos.

Age: 58 (born April 28, 1966) · Major championships: 2 (1991 PGA Championship, 1995 Open Championship) · PGA Tour wins: 5 · Career earnings: $10.4 million (PGA Tour) · Known for: Extremely long driving distance and brash personality · Nickname: “Wild Thing”

Eight key facts about John Daly, drawn from official tour profiles and tournament records:

What happened with John Daly?

John Daly’s career has been a rollercoaster of triumph, controversy, and reinvention. After winning two majors in the 1990s, his life off the course repeatedly made headlines.

Why was John Daly suspended from golf?

• The PGA Tour suspended Daly in 2008 for “conduct unbecoming a professional,” after multiple alcohol-related incidents (NBC Sports (sports media)).
• He had been ordered to enter alcohol rehabilitation but failed to comply, leading to the suspension.

Does John Daly support Trump?

• Daly has publicly expressed support for Donald Trump and has played golf with him on multiple occasions (CBS Sports (sports media)).
• Trump has called Daly a “great guy” and they have been photographed together at Trump golf courses.

What did Tiger Woods say about John Daly?

• Tiger Woods once described Daly as having “one of the most naturally gifted swings I’ve ever seen” in a Golf Digest (golf publication) interview.

What did John Daly get diagnosed with?

Is John Daly still sober?

• Daly has struggled with alcohol addiction for decades and has said, “I’ve been to rehab 13 times. I’m an alcoholic” (ESPN (sports broadcaster)).
• He claims to be sober currently, but his history includes multiple relapses (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Did John Daly have bladder cancer?

• In September 2020, Daly announced he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer (Senior PGA Championship (championship organizer)).
• He underwent surgery and completed two rounds of chemotherapy; the cancer was detected early (Senior PGA Championship).
• In 2014 he had gastric sleeve surgery to address weight issues (NBC Sports).

How rich is John Daly, the golfer?

What is John Daly’s net worth?

• Estimates place John Daly’s net worth at around $30 million, though figures vary widely (Spotrac (sports salary tracker)).
• His PGA Tour career earnings total approximately $10.9 million (PGA Tour (official player profile)).

Who made $30 million without ever winning golf?

• The question likely refers to Daly’s off-course income from endorsements, appearances, and real estate investments, not prize money (Spotrac).
• He has also faced financial troubles, including two bankruptcy filings, largely due to gambling and divorce settlements (Wikipedia).

Why is John Daly so famous?

How far could John Daly hit a driver?

• In his prime, Daly regularly hit drives over 300 yards, reaching 350+ yards with a persimmon driver (The Open (major championship organizer)).
• He led the PGA Tour in driving distance multiple seasons.

What are John Daly’s major wins?

• 1991 PGA Championship: Won as the ninth alternate, shocking the golf world (PGA Championship).
• 1995 Open Championship: Defeated Constantino Rocca in a playoff at St. Andrews (The Open).

His underdog story, massive drives, and rebellious personality made him a folk hero far beyond the typical golf audience. The catch: that fame has been a double-edged sword, drawing fans while fueling a lifestyle that derailed his prime.

Is John Daly actually good at golf?

How many PGA Tour wins does John Daly have?

• Daly has 5 official PGA Tour wins, including two majors (PGA Tour).
• After 1995, he won only once more on tour: the 2004 Buick Invitational (The Open).

What is John Daly’s driving distance average?

• He led the tour in driving distance multiple years, averaging over 280 yards in his prime (CBS Sports).
• His aggressive, power-first style often led to inconsistency, which prevented him from staying among the elite week to week.

What this means: Daly’s raw talent was undeniable, but his record — two majors and five total wins — reflects a career that flashed brilliance rather than sustained dominance.

Who is the biggest drinker in golf?

Is John Daly still sober? (revisited)

• Daly’s drinking is a central part of his “Wild Thing” image. He has been embarrassingly drunk at public events, including a well-known incident at a PGA Tour event in the 1990s (Wikipedia).
• He says he has been sober for extended periods, but the reputation persists.

What is John Daly’s relationship with alcohol?

• He has frequently acknowledged his addiction and multiple rehab stays. Daly told ESPN (sports broadcaster) he is an alcoholic and that drinking has cost him opportunities and relationships.

For fans who grew up watching him slash drives down fairways in neon pants, John Daly remains a reminder that talent and trouble can coexist — and that folklore in sports often outlasts the stat sheet. Whether his current sobriety holds and his health stays stable will determine if the “Wild Thing” legacy is remembered as a cautionary tale or a survival story. Daly’s own trajectory — from alternate to champion to icon — suggests the narrative is still being written.

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