Thursday, January 1, 2009

Daly admits PGA Tour suspension

John Daly
Daly's troubles with drink, gambling and in his private life are well known

John Daly has claimed he is serving a six-month ban from the PGA Tour for conduct detrimental to golf's image.

The controversial two-time major winner said he had decided to go public about the suspension "to be fair to my fans and tournament organisers".

The PGA Tour's policy is to not discuss any sanctions it imposes on players and it has not commented on Daly's status.

But the 42-year-old, who also served a 12-tournament ban in 1994, said: "This is the lowest I've ever been."

Daly has not played on the PGA Tour since he missed the cut on 17 October in Las Vegas.

Ten days later, police in North Carolina found him in a seemingly drunken state outside a restaurant and took him into custody to sleep it off.

The incident was one of four during 2008 which Daly said had culminated in his latest suspension.

He wants to continue playing in European Tour events, beginning with the Abu Dhabi Championship from 15 January.

Daly said: "Right now, my home tour is probably Europe. I love the European Tour, always have, but my home is the United States. That's where I would rather play."

His agent, Bud Martin, said: "John's New Year's resolution is do everything he can to make positive things happen on the golf course.

"I hope he can walk the walk. The talk sounds great. But it's going to be him working hard and staying out of trouble, and having success on the golf course."

Martin added the end date for Daly's suspension "remains confidential with the PGA Tour".

Daly has not had full status on the PGA Tour the last two years.

He finished a lowly 232nd on the 2008 PGA money list, winning just $56,017 in 17 events, missing the cut 10 times and withdrawing twice.

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