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Jack Nicklaus’ Locker Room Note to John Daly Before His PGA Championship Win: What Was Written?

Published 04/04/2022, 10:29 AM EDT

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John Daly winning the 1991 PGA Championship is considered one of the greatest stories in the golf world. While it was a surprise for the rest of the world, Jack Nicklaus knew the young golfer’s potential. That is why the legendary golfer wrote a note to him before the last round of the tournament. 

“I learned how to play the game because of Jack Nicklaus,” Daly said. He was explaining the event when he got a note from Nicklaus on his locker in Dan Patrick Show. 

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Daly explained that he had met the golf legend back in 1989. “Sunday morning, I had a note from him on my locker said ‘Go get him, John – Jack Nicklaus,'” Daly said. He further added, “Got it framed and everything.” 

Daly went in as a PGA Tour rookie and a 9th alternate at the PGA Championship in 1991. Yet, somehow, the young golfer got a chance to play at the event. Nobody was expecting him to even get a chance to play, and still, he had won the tournament. 

John Daly Reveals the Longest Drive He Has Ever Hit In His Golfing Career

Since he was a last-minute addition, Daly hadn’t gotten a chance to practice on the course. Yet, he scored a 3-under and impressed everyone. He scored an overall 12-under 276 and won the major with a 3-shot lead over Bruce Lietzke. 

It had been more than 30 years since he had won the event. However, the golfer still has kept the note intact that he got from Jack Nicklaus. 

John Daly helped a family with his PGA Championship prize money

Daly has received $230,000 as prize money after winning the 1991 PGA Championship. Since he was in his 20s, the golfer could have used the entire money to live a luxurious life. However, he chose to help a family instead. 

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A father of two children had died after being struck by lightning while Daly was competing at the PGA Championship. After he got to know about the incident, the young golfer reached out to the family and donated money after he won the tournament. 

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After winning the major as his first PGA Tour event, the golfer later won 4 more Tour championships, including the 1995 Open Championship. Daly currently plays for the PGA Tour Champions and has already won the 2017 Insperity Invitational. 

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Winning a major as soon as he began his journey with the PGA Tour is an achievement for Daly. However, more than the title, he cherishes the note that Nicklaus gave him before the final round. He had kept it with him ever since. 

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Written by:

Anjana Prabhakaran

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Anjana Prabhakaran is a Golf content writer at EssentiallySports. She has completed her Master's degree in Public Administration and considers researching as one of her hobbies. As her family is interested in sports, Anjana grew up watching every sport on television.
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Edited by:

Deepika Bhaduri

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