‘I Could Have Lost Deals…’: John Daly Once Publicly Lashed Out At a Major Publication For Presenting Wrong Facts About a Serious Issue

John Daly is a beloved PGA Tour veteran. The long driver boasts one of the biggest and most loyal fan bases in the golf world. Although he is known for his humility and generosity, Daly once blew his top when he read a column in a Florida newspaper. The pro golfer not only saw red but also charged at the reporter, with a lawsuit.

In 2005, John Daly claimed defamation and filed a libel lawsuit against Mike Freeman who, a columnist for the Florida Times-Union. Freeman, during the Players Championship that year, wrote about Daly, calling him a “scoundrel” and asking the fans why they stood by him.

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The former New York Times reporter wrote, “How does Daly not fail the scoundrel sniff test with fans despite possessing definite Thug Life qualifications.” Freeman didn’t just stop there; he went on to drag Daly’s name through the mud. He claimed Daly had a history of substance abuse and even had domestic violence accusations against him.

Freeman’s column additionally brought up Daly’s children, comparing Daly to former NBA star Shawn Kemp. He wrote, “Three different kids from three different moms, making him the Shawn Kemp of golf? Yes.” The reporter also recited the golf pro’s ex-wife, Sherrie Miller Daly, controversy and stated, “A former wife indicted for laundering illegal drug profits? Roger that.”

John Daly suffers a huge defeat off the course

The column had left Daly enraged. He claimed that because of Freeman’s words, his reputation had been tarnished and his ex-wife had been “destroyed.” Long John added that he had had sponsors and his partner call him, questioning his integrity and asking him about the domestic violence claims. He stated, “I could have lost deals over this thing. I got them all calmed down and said, ‘Look, I’ve never hit a woman in my life.’”

That year, in March, the two-time major winner sued Freeman for slandering his name. Daly was determined to win, clear his name, and restore his reputation. But the golfer never got the chance. Four years after his claims, in March 2009, the judge ruled against Daly and had the case thrown out.

The judge claimed that there were either no lies in Freeman’s comments or that his words were constitutionally protected. He stated that the only way John could claim defamation was if he could prove any of the four statements wrong. A heartbroken Daly was additionally required to pay $300,000 in legal fees.

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Do you think Daly was given an unjust verdict? Or was it just his hotheadedness that provoked the libel? Let us know what you think in the comments below.