The unwelcome John Daly put on a proper professional golfer’s persona at Woodlands golf club on Monday in his first public appearance since disgracing himself at last week’s Australian Open.
Daly, who committed one of his worst breaches of golf etiquette when he walked off the course during the first round of the Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney, behaved perfectly in a charity pro-am at Woodlands Golf Club in Melbourne.
Daly’s Open walk-out prompted tournament director Trevor Herden to declare him unwelcome at future events in Australia.
But his playing partner on Monday and event sponsor Alan Eskander described the flamboyant American as “a fabulous bloke and a delight to be with” after a round in which Daly thoroughly justified his modest appearance fee.
However, it may be a while before he plays competitive golf again.
Daly’s performance in Sydney has prompted golf officials to investigate the issue with Daly facing a possible fine and a ban from the game.
While he has expressed regret at his Sydney antics, Daly said he had no choice after running out of golf balls after hitting six consecutive shots into the water during the first round.
Before starting his pro-am round, local professional Jarrod Lyle offered Daly a box of golf balls, setting the tone for a light-hearted round.
The PGA of Australia has already banned Daly from playing in this month’s PGA Championship at Coolum, a move Daly said he couldn’t disagree with.
“I wouldn’t have me there either,” he said on Monday.
The one-time big drinker, who has been on the wagon for more than a year, polished off a six pack of Diet Coke during Monday’s round, admitting he had also developed an addiction for the soft drink.
“I made the decision to stop drinking on my own,” he said.
“If I went to AA meetings they’d make me drink even more.”
Daly delighted the small Woodlands gallery, producing his driver on one of the tightest courses in Melbourne and continually knocking the ball 300m.
He returned a one-over par 73.
Daly is scheduled to play another charity event at nearby Victoria Golf Club on Wednesday.
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