Daly reiterates support for Woods

John Daly has called for the international golf community to respect the privacy of embattled superstar Tiger Woods.

Woods’ car crash and apology for “transgressions” and “personal sins and failings”, apparent references to a string of alleged affairs, have seen him make news around the world, with the majority of press being overwhelmingly negative.

While tabloid newspapers have enjoyed a field day, professional golfers have largely refused to pass comment - apart that is from Swede Jesper Parnevik, the man responsible for introducing Woods to his wife Elin.

Parnevik said he had “lost all respect” for Woods and admitted “we probably thought he was a better guy than he is”.

Comments of that nature do not sit well with Daly, who has had his fair share of controversy.

The ’Wild Thing’ – who has two major victories and four divorces to his name - has previously thrown his support behind Woods and he was quick to dismiss the comments from Parnevik.

“He (Woods) will get through it,” Daly said today as he began preparations for the 2009 Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

“I’m not too happy with what some of the players have said about him. Theoretically if you think about it, it’s because of Tiger that we’re playing for so much money, and hopefully he and Elin can work it out.”

Daly suggested the sport needs Woods to come back from his problems.

“With his record and the way he plays, he just brings people out and he raises the bar for all of us to play better golf as well,” he said. “I wish them the best.”