Golf: Daly joins European tour

The European golf tour has a new member - 1995 British Open champion John Daly.

Despite admitting that he became ‘‘petrified’’ about flying after the September 11 attacks last year, Daly has decided to increase his overseas trips this season.

And because events like this week’s Heineken Classic in Melbourne count towards the European Order of Merit, the American star has taken up the option of joining the circuit.

‘‘I almost did it last year, but now I have and I think it’s not only a good move on my part, but also good for golf and hopefully good for the European tour,’’ said Daly today on his arrival in Australia.

The 35-year-old, who has had two spells in alcohol rehabilitation centres during his controversial career, ended five years without a win when he captured the BMW International Open in Munich last September.

It helped his world ranking shoot up from 507th to 47th in the space of 12 months and, having equalled his best US Tour finish for six years when he was fourth in the Phoenix Open on Sunday, Daly is looking to move even higher.

‘‘For the first time everything in my life is the way I want it,’’ said Daly, who last year got married for the fourth time.

As well as defending his BMW title, Daly’s planned European appearances include the Benson and Hedges International at The Belfry in May and the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in July - plus the British Open at Muirfield, of course.

His first priority, though, is to achieve a place in the Masters in April. Daly’s five-year exemption to Augusta from winning the Open at St Andrews ran out last year, but he needs to stay in the world’s top 50 for another month to earn himself a return.

A good performance this week could well secure that and he said: ‘‘I’ve been told that Royal Melbourne should be right up my alley if I’m driving it straight.’’

The flight from Phoenix was the first commercial one Daly had taken following the terrorist attacks and, after the shoe-bomber incident last month, he had to bare his feet to security guards before getting on board.

‘‘I was not too proud to take my shoes off and show people my feet. I think it’s something that everybody who flies now should get checked real good.

‘‘But after I get back home from here I’ll probably be going by private jet the rest of the year.’’

Daly’s past, of course, is as well known for his drinking and gambling addictions as for his Open and US PGA triumphs.

Indeed, on his last trip to Melbourne six years ago he was reported to have won around £100,000 at blackjack, only to lose it all and then lots more besides.

Daly’s total debts around the world reached more than stg £6m (€9.8m) at one point - he reckoned he had won $42m and lost $51m - and 18 months ago he spoke about the problem.

‘‘I’d sometimes play five hands of blackjack at $15,000 per hand for 36 hours at a time,’’ he said. ‘‘I once had over $200,000 riding on a single hand of blackjack and $50,000 on an American football match.

‘‘At the Shark Shoot-out in California in 1996 I drove between rounds to Las Vegas. By the end of the week my car needed an oil change!’’

His last appearance in the Heineken Classic was five years ago. He shot an 83 in the third round, dashed round the course the following day and was on the receiving end of a stinging rebuke from the tournament promoter.

‘‘You can’t expect to stay up all night drinking, gambling and partying and play good golf,’’ said Tony Roosenburg. ‘‘It makes me so sad what he has done with his life and his extraordinary ability as a golfer.

‘‘I told him that ultimately you’ve got to look yourself in the mirror and do something about what you see. Everything with John is in excess. At his age you have to take responsibility.

‘‘I fear for him. He has so much talent, but no willpower, no discipline. He’s stuffed if he does not do something about it.’’

It seems he finally has. Daly said today: ‘‘I hardly ever play blackjack now.’’

And while slot machines do still have a lure - ‘‘$500 or $1,000 a pull’’ - the attraction of golf is at last even greater.

There might have been a time when the European tour would have shuddered at the thought of Daly coming on board. Now he will be welcomed with open arms.