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Swing coach dumps John Daly because of drinking

John Daly laughs at the Philadelphia Phillies-Toronto Blue Jays Grapefruit League spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Florida, on Sunday. Daly threw out a ceremonial pitch before the game. PHOTO: AP

John Daly was dropped by swing coach Butch Harmon, who said on Tuesday he was not going to waste his time with a two-time major champion who is more interested in drinking than working on his golf game.

"My whole goal for him was he's got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life," Harmon said from his golf school in Las Vegas. "And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk."

Harmon said he has worked three times this year with Daly, but he said Daly's behavior at the PODS Championship was enough to end the short-lived relationship.

Daly, playing on a sponsor's exemption because he no longer has his full US tour card, spent a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay during the first round in a corporate hospitality tent behind the 17th green at Innisbrook.

He was 3 over, and ended up with a 77.

He followed that with an 80 in the second round to miss the cut.

Daly spent Saturday at the tournament, drinking beer, mingling with fans and signing autographs, including one on the back of a woman's pants.

"I've let him know that after his actions of last weekend, we are no longer together," Harmon said. "In all honesty, I'm a very busy person. I'm willing to help the kid, but until he helps himself and makes golf his No. 1 priority, I'm not his guy."

Daly, who is playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational on a sponsor's exemption, could not be located for comment.

Harmon is regarded as among the best swing coaches in golf, working with Tiger Woods before he turned pro and overhauling Woods swing when the world's No. 1 player won four consecutive majors.

He also worked with Greg Norman when he was No. 1, and his current clientele includes Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.
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