Incredible Story Behind How John Daly Learned to Play Golf

Published 05/17/2022, 2:43 PM EDT

John Daly gathered quite a lot of media attention when he won the 1991 PGA Championship. Mainly because he was the ninth and final alternate for the event. But not stopping there, in 1995, Daly won the Open Championship in St. Andrews in a playoff with an Italian golfer Constantino Rocca. Notably, Daly turned pro in 1987 and even won the Missouri Open the same year.

The little we know about John Daly

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John’s family moved to Locust Grove, Virginia, in 1978, where he played at the Lake of the Wood Country Club. Though many people already know his nickname ”Long John”, which he earned for his overlong driving distance, it’s a lesser-known fact that he beat every member at his Country Club as a 13-year-old. Quite surprisingly, he learned golf primarily by watching Jack Nicklaus’ articles based on the mechanics of the game in Golf Digest magazines. Growing up, Daly idolized Jack Nicklaus and worked to impersonate the pro’s game.

After all these years, it is safe to say, his ”grip it and rip it” style, which he developed at an early age, has served him well.

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The two-time major winner is a very generous guy

According to ESPN, there was a tragedy that occurred during the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. The first round was suspended due to a weather delay and a gentleman by the name of Tom Weaver was struck by lightning on his chest and died on the spot.

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Daly received $230000 after winning the PGA Championship; and he cut a check of $30000 and sent it to Dee Weaver, Tom Weaver’s wife, so that she could set up a college fund for their two daughters.

John used to practice on a baseball field growing up

John used to go to the baseball field near his house at that time and used to practice hitting flop shots and all other kinds as well. Reminiscing about those days, he said, ”It’s actually pretty cool”. Daly was quoted as saying, ”I learned everything from jack.”

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Notably, he is the first player on the PGA TOUR to average more than 300-yards per drive over a full season. His exceptionally long backswing is a trademark all over the world.

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Written by:

Kunal Naidu is a Golf author at EssentiallySports. He is a competitive golfer who has played at the national level since 2009, and is currently pursuing to become a professional golfer. Kunal aspires to play in the PGA Tour some day and win Majors and other significant golfing championships along the way.

Edited by:

Melroy Fernandes

Incredible Story Behind How John Daly Learned to Play Golf

The little we know about John Daly

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The two-time major winner is a very generous guy

John used to practice on a baseball field growing up