In case you didn’t see yesterday, John Daly set a new record for himself: Worst score he’s ever shot in a round at a PGA Event. Ever. That’s right, after a 51 on his final nine holes, Daly was in the clubhouse with an awful, and depressing 88. The question that golf fans around the world want answered today, however, is why? What led to this record setting bad round and what’s going on with John Daly? Lucky for us, Daly and his swing coach might have a few answers.
Daly’s Swing Coach Shocked
First and foremost, Rick Smith, John Daly’s swing coach, believes that it can all be boiled down to absolute exhaustion, severe weight-loss and the general fatigue that is accompanying the two. Smith was interviewed yesterday after Daly’s 88 and had this to say after following him around the course Friday:
“I saw a guy I didn’t know existed…What I saw today was scary. It was a literal disconnect. He hasn’t eaten or slept in a week. His body needs food, and it’s going to the muscle, and the muscle is breaking down to the point he’s in a toxic state.”
Lap-Band Surgery & Severe Weight Loss Hindering
The weight-loss Smith is referring to is the fact that Daly has dropped 80lbs over the last four months. He had lap-band surgery a few months back and despite the fact that he’s supposed to be taking in 1200 calories a day, has only been getting about 600. Bottom line, it’s been a rough few months for John Daly, a fact we’ve documented on this website as it’s been happening, and hopefully things will turn around.
Daly Sounds Off
Daly himself actually had a few things to say as well, and it’s heartbreaking to see his quote, and see just how badly he’s feeling about his golf game right now:
“The last two weeks have been the first time in my career I didn’t think I could win…I don’t have the feel I used to have. I don’t have the confidence. I just don’t have it. I tried my (tail) off and shot 88. I’ve thrown in the towel and shot 82 when I quit. But I didn’t quit this time. It was a weird feeling.”
Whatever’s going on with Daly, we hope it ends soon. The Tour, as we mentioned, needs guys like him.
(image via Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
