Daly aiming to roar again at Pinehurst

The last time John Daly was at Pinehurst – six years ago – he certainly did not go unnoticed. He rarely does.

After an opening-round 68 the former Open and US PGA champion was one off the lead and talking about the millions of pounds he had lost gambling.

Following two spells of alcohol rehabilitation and more than one broken marriage it was just another chapter in an amazing life story.

Then came a 77, followed by an 81 and on the final day an 83 which included a two-stroke penalty – and no ordinary one.

Disgusted when a shot up a slope by the eighth green began rolling back to his feet for a second time Daly whacked the ball as it was still moving and playing partner Tom Kite watched it race past him, right off the other side and back down the fairway.

From there he chipped onto the green and three-putted. An 11 went on his card, he finished last and he let rip.

“This is my last US Open – ever,” Daly stormed. “It’s not worth it. I’ve had it with the USGA and the way they run their tournaments. The USGA loves to embarrass guys.

“I don’t mind hitting the ball bad, but when I feel like I’ve hit the ball pretty good for four days and shoot an 81, it’s not golf – it’s crazy.

“I don’t consider the US Open a major any more. It’s not John Daly’s style of golf and I’m not going to Pebble Beach next year and watch them ruin that golf course too.”

Daly being Daly, he played at Pebble Beach the following year, of course.

But the 39-year-old missed the cut there and he has played only once in the championship since, finishing down in 70th place at Bethpage Black three years ago.

It was probably a good thing both for him and the event that he was not at Shinnecock Hills 12 months ago, though how he would have reacted to a farcical last-day set-up which led to 28 out of 66 players failing to break 80 would have made fascinating viewing.

But maybe Pinehurst will be a chance for Daly to show that he has made at least some peace with the event and with himself.

The outbursts and eruptions are fewer to be seen nowadays and with a return to St Andrews, scene of his 1995 Open triumph, coming up he has every reason for keeping his cool and not lashing out.

“I regret what I said and did, but Tom Kite, an absolute gentleman, said ‘I think I would have thought about doing the same thing.’

“That tells you how bad the set-up was and look what they did at Shinnecock. There was a par three where great shots were punished and the guys ended up aiming at a bunker.

“Don’t tell me it’s right that you should be aiming at a bunker on a par three. When is enough? That’s what I and a lot of the other guys want to know.

“I just hope the USGA gives us a chance at Pinehurst because all the tricked-up stuff has gone on long enough.”