John "Wild Thing" Daly returns to action

The ever controversial John Daly returned to action at the Open de Espana today, and seems to have turned over a new leaf

John Daly at the Open de Espana
(Image credit: Getty Images)

John Daly is back, and as this picture shows he is not hiding from the cameras.

The American hit a 2 under par 70 in the first round of the Open de Espana in a round which included an eagle and three birdies.

Only a few months ago he was being banned by the PGA Tour for 6 months having been found in a seemingly drunken state outside a North Carolina restaurant last year.

But since then he seems to have turned over a new leaf having lost almost four stone in weight, thanks to lap-band stomach surgery and sticking to a brand new diet.

Rick Smith, who used to be Phil Mickelson's coach, is now with Daly and this coaching change along with some positive changes to his personal life seems to have turned the man dubbed "Wild Thing" into a differet man.

Daly said "It is refreshing to have a positive coach along with a girlfriend to keep on motivating me and keeping a positive outlook on life".

His United States ban ends in June and Daly will be looking to head back to that side of the Atlantic to prove to everyone that he is a new man.

"I'm doing this for myself. I want the consistency I've not had since 2004. To win again is the most important thing to me, not what people think about me."

 

Where next?

John Daly gallery

Open de Espana betting guide

Ryder Cup picks

Quai Hollow Championship betting guide

Thomas Patrick Clarke
Sports Digital Editor


Tom Clarke joined Golf Monthly as a sub editor in 2009 being promoted to content editor in 2012 and then senior content editor in 2014, before becoming Sports Digital Editor for the Sport Vertical within Future in 2022. Tom currently looks after all the digital products that Golf Monthly produce including Strategy and Content Planning for the website and social media - Tom also assists the Cycling, Football, Rugby and Marine titles at Future. Tom plays off 16 and lists Augusta National (name drop), Old Head and Le Touessrok as the favourite courses he has played. Tom is an avid viewer of all golf content with a particularly in depth knowledge of the pro tour.