‘Because Nobody is Going To Live’: How Losing Fellow PGA Tour Pro in a Plane Crash Stirred Fear of Traveling in John Daly

Though the world of golf considers John Daly bold and strong, even the Wild Thing has his list of fears. The legendary golfer has always been open about his life experiences. In 1999, he shared his phobia of traveling in a plane, after losing his good friend and PGA Tour pro Payne Stewart in a flight crash.

Traveling in private jets is a standard norm for top professional golfers. It cuts time and avoids heavy jetlag for the pros. However, the world of golf was left shell-shocked when the flight carrying three-time Major winner Payne Stewart crashed in South Dakota in 1999.

The news broke the hearts of many while stirring the fear of traveling in some. John Daly, who was close to Stewart, made a pact never to use the air transportation mode ever again. Let’s look at what the two-time Major winner had to say.

John Daly claims to never travel on a flight ever again

Following the passing of the PGA Tour pro, Daly was interviewed by ESPN in 1999. The Wild Thing discussed his newfound fear of traveling through air. “I’m really not even wanting to get on a plane to go anywhere right now”, said Big John.

A week after Payne Stewart’s plane crashed, PGA Tour’s Southern Farm Bureau Classic was conducted in Mississippi, holding massive tributes to the golfer. However, to get to Mississippi from Dallas, John Daly chose to travel by car for six hours instead of traveling by air for one.

Read More: John Daly Once Revealed How He Helped His Then Eight-Year-Old Son To Cope Despite Missing ‘84 Days in Kindergarten’

The 56-year-old considered that traveling by car was much safer than by plane. “I know they are safer and it’s the best way to travel, but I’ve always said I like my chances in a car wreck before I do a plane crash, because nobody is going to live”, Daly said.

Deeming to his words, the Wild Thing did develop a massive phobia of traveling by air. Since it has been 23 years since the interview, is John Daly still afraid of using airplanes?

Does Daly still avoid traveling by air?

Over the years, apart from the PGA Tour, Big John has taken part in several Tours, ranging from Tours of Australia to Europe. In order to take part in those events, it was quite evident that John Daly had no other option but to use air transportation.

Nonetheless, when it does come to traveling domestically, the two-time Major winner travels in his decked-out RV Motorhome. As Daly progresses to the conclusion of his illustrious career, his traveling has also lessened compared to a decade ago. Hopefully, his fear of planes will end to the full extent very soon.

Do you have a similar fear of traveling by air as John Daly? Let us know in the comments section below.

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