JOHN Daly, who says he's already endured enough drama for 100 lifetimes, will hope to make an exception to that rule on the golf course when he tees up at Loch Lomond next month and competes for the fourth time in his career at the Barclays Scottish Open.
One of the most appealing figures in golf around the world with spectators, Daly's re-emergence on the European Tour has proved the sceptics wrong. When he seemingly hit rock bottom as addictions to alcohol and gambling took their toll – on the US PG
A Tour, where he returns to action in Memphis today at the St Jude Classic, the former Open champion was banned for six months – Daly discovered redemption on this side of the Atlantic.
Having lost more than four stones in weight after undergoing a lap-band operation on his stomach and catching the eye in tournaments across Europe with the loudest clothing in professional golf, Daly offered a hint that all of his best days may not be in the past when he signed for four rounds in the 60s and claimed the runner-up spot at the Italian Open.
True, his subsequent performances on the European Tour in stronger fields at the Irish Open, the BMW PGA and the European Open were not quite so impressive, but Daly has proved a significant draw wherever he tees up. Currently 105th in the Race to Dubai with earnings of 144,321 from seven events, the American aims to further boost his season in July with strong performances at Loch Lomond and Turnberry.
As a past winner of the Open at the home of golf over the Old Course in 1995, who can also look back on a third place finish at Loch Lomond in 2001, Daly is already relishing a summer visit to Scotland.
"I am really looking forward to returning to Scotland to the Barclays Scottish Open," said the two time major winner. "It's always such a pleasure to play in front of the Scottish crowds and I know I will have a great week. It's a great golf course in an awesome setting."
The 43-year-old added: "I always love coming over to Europe. I feel really good. I'm working hard. The fans are great and I keep them on their toes."
In an interview with the American magazine Golf World published this week, Daly insists he's regained a competitive edge in Europe and is no longer prone to running up the white flag of surrender when things don't go his way.
He's also grateful for the show of support from European Tour players who made him feel welcome on this side of the Atlantic.
"I'm way ahead of where I thought I would be and I'm starting to get some confidence back," he said. "The fire is still there. Even when I've been out of it (in Europe], not in contention, I'm grinding, working on things. People have accused me of giving up, mailing it in. But I'm a fighter. I'm trying, and I want to be competitive. I've still got a good feel for the game.
"I don't need any more drama. I've had enough drama for 100 lifetimes. People think I'm a raging alcoholic, raising hell every night. But here in Europe, I play golf, practice, maybe have dinner with Anna ( Cladakis, his girlfriend] when she was with me, then go back to the hotel room and go to sleep.
"Still smoking? Yeah, gotta do something. I love people and still like to have a good time, but I've been laying low, concentrating on my game. Been through a lot of emotional stuff the last couple years, lost a bunch of sponsors, and I've taken a beating in the media. But I ain't giving up."
For all his flaws, Daly remains hugely popular with galleries, perhaps because he's more of a human figure than so many of the faceless young men who populate the modern game.
Asked to explain the strength of his relationship with spectators, Daly replied: "They just never know where I'm going to go or what I'm going to do. Hell, I don't even know what I'm going to do sometimes."
