“(It) sucks to come up short,” was John Daly II‘s response after coming painfully close to clinching his US Amateur Championship. What followed was a massive heartbreak. Now months later, the son of a two-time major champ has shone bright with a comeback at the Blessing Collegiate Invitational. And of course, his dad could not be prouder. John Daly, who is quite active through his Instagram stories, shared a picture of his son.

Below it, huge letters were plastered that said “Proud dad.” The moment was one to call for celebrations as Arkansas’ stellar victory had propelled Daly II to new heights. He was named the SEC’s Golfer of the Week, and with that, has cemented his name as a collegiate star that everyone needs to reckon with.

Daly II’s performance gave him a massive jump in the rankings, skipping 10 spots in the WAGR and climbing 19 spots in the PGA Tour University standings. He now stands at the 61st position on the former and at 31st in the latter — both his career high.

The ranks do justice to this, as it was one of the most glorious victories for Arkansas in recent times. The team secured an overall 2-under-par 214 victory, with Daly II playing a major role in it. After trailing tied for third and one stroke behind after 36 holes, he reformed himself in the final round.

Cading a bogey-free 2-under 69, Daly II held off stiff competition as Arkansas finished a 9-under-par with a 17-stroke triumph in the final round. It was one of the largest margins of victory in the tournament’s history. In fact, he was the only competitor to break par for the 54th-hole event. His familiarity with the course was evident throughout, as he had already secured a victory there in July at the Southern Amateur.

Even after this week, Dad Daly II was expressive in his feelings for his son. Captioning a video on his story where he is seen hugging junior Daly earlier this week, he wrote, “Nothing better than seeing your son pull off a win.”

Daly II himself posted a picture with his dad on his feed, holding the trophy as a symbol of his undeniable victory. “Thank you to everyone who came out and supported. Very thankful and blessed to be a champion at the Blessings again!! #woopigsooie #team #dub,” he wrote. The same was shared by Daly in his story, like many others that he put for his son.

With this win, Daly II had recorded his second career win, but his first in a 54-hole event. Before this, it was the Columbia Spring Invitational last spring. However, there were additional reasons why this victory at Blessings stands out, including his near miss at the US Amateur Championship a few months prior.

He had reached the quarterfinals of the tournament, becoming the first Razorback to do so since 2009. But eventually he stumbled, with a narrow loss of 1-up. Back then, too, Dad Daly kept praising his sons through his rounds, posting compliments like, “LFG! My Boy!!”

It will not be wrong to say that such unwavering support is partly the reason Daly II keeps rising to the occasion again, especially after a loss that could have easily shaken a young athlete’s confidence.

But rebuilding confidence is one thing, and carrying a certain responsibility another. With this victory, John Daly II is competing with another notable name on the course, someone who has his fair share (in fact, much more) of a legacy to carry.

John Daly II dominates Charlie Woods in carrying forward the legacy

Just like John Daly II has his own share of responsibilities on his back, Charlie Woods has his own. And by no exaggeration, even more. Being the son of a man who reshaped modern golf, Woods, on his part, is doing good.

He won the Team TaylorMade Invitational in May, and then went on to finish in the top-10 of junior tournaments. His most recent feat was a fourth place at the South Florida PGA Invitational West. Yet, he keeps stumbling. One of them includes the Junior PGA Championship, a win which could have given him a spot at the Junior Ryder Cup.

In contrast, Daly II could be considered a much better player on the course. He had a second-place finish at the Bearcat invitational, a fifth-place finish at the US Amateur, and a July victory at the Southern Amateur. To put into perspective, Charlie Woods is currently ranked at 914th on the WAGR.

But in junior Tiger Woods‘ defence, he is still very young. John Daly II is 22 with a place in a notable university, while Charlie is just a 16-year-old teenager, navigating high school. Yet, if one follows data, Daly II way past Woods, and that is what matters as of now.