John Daly vows to continue with top form in Dubai Desert Classic to earn back his European Tour card
Burly John Daly is now eyeing a rare resurgence in his dilapidating career with consecutive strong finishes in the start of the season.
The two-time major winner has been struggling with his form for several years and has been winless for the last more than seven years.
His last victory came at the Buick Invitational on the PGA Tour in the year 2004.
Daly soared to the top of the leaderboard in the opening round of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and finished for an outright fourth, his highest finish since the Canadian Open last year.
Poised at number 543rd at the beginning of the season, Daly is now at 309 and is hoping to continue with his newly gained form to break into the top-100 to earn back his European Tour card.
Daly said, "My goals are to get my European card and maybe get into Dubai at the end of the year. I think if I can get in enough tournaments it's realistic. It's all about confidence for me and I haven't had any in so long. It's one thing trying to play golf healthy but when you're trying to play golf hurt for four or five years like I have it gets frustrating”.
Daly has led a controversial life off and on the course. Known for his penchant for gambling and alcoholism, Daly has been penalised on several occasions for misbehaviour and violation of the code of conduct.
He lost his playing status both on PGA and the European Tour after back-to-back disappointing performances and is now hoping to regain the top form he once had.
Daly believes he is in the top physical form and all set to land in the top-notch of golf in the current season.
He added, "The last few tournaments I've felt good. The shoulder is good, the ribs are good, so it gives you a better chance to play good”.
Daly was penalised twice again at the Australian Open last year when he picked the wrong ball in the bunker.
Visibly perturbed by the European Tour official’s decision, Daly decided to withdraw from the tournament. His withdrawal was criticised by many of the players and golf critics.
Daly is now one of the senior players on the professional events at the age of 45. He has been playing professional golf since the year 1987 and is not ready to slow down at all.
Although he does not have a permanent playing status on either European or the PGA Tours, he somehow manages to break in the fields with sponsor’s exemption.
He has won two major events in his otherwise stellar career, the 1995 Open Championship and the 1991 PGA Championship. He was also awarded the PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year in 2004.
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