PGA Tour welcomes back some top draws
At the St. Jude Classic all eyes are on John Daly and Phil Mickelson, sympathetic figures for completely different reasons, who return to the PGA Tour this week in Memphis.
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Daly is back after a six-month suspension. He was grounded by Commissioner Tim Finchem after he was found drunk outside a Winston-Salem Hooters in October and spent a night in jail.
Mickelson returns for the first time since wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. He last played five weeks ago at the Players Championship, finishing in a tie for 55th. Amy Mickelson will begin treatment on July 1, Mickelson said Wednesday.
“I’ve never felt this emotional, where I’m driving alone, I’ll just start crying,” said Mickelson. “I’m looking forward to have those four or five hours mental break where I force myself to focus on something else.”
In a brief, emotional news conference, Mickelson said he is back because he believes he can win the U.S. Open next week.
“We’re scared. A lot of it is the unknown. We won’t know until some more tests are done,” said Mickelson. “I would rather be going through it myself than see someone I care about go through it.”
Since he left the tour, Daly, 43, cleaned up his appearance, if not his lifestyle, losing 61 pounds.
“It’s not from working out, I promise you. I cheated,” said Daly of the lap band surgery he had last fall.
In exile on the European Tour, Daly has had his moments, finishing second in the Italian Open, making three of five cuts, earning $204,000, and sporting a flashy, new wardrobe line, Loudmouth Golf.
Daly twice was asked if he believed this was his last chance, considering both his behavior and his age.
“I don’t know what a last chance is,” said Daly, who lived in Memphis for nearly two decades. “Last chance is when you’re six feet under.”
Daly said he’s been buoyed by support from fellow players including Tim Petrovic, Pat Perez, and several new friends he made in Europe.
“He’s a pleasure to be around,” said Paul Casey. “He’s always been a gentleman to me and he still has that buzz about him. He brings something to every tournament he plays in. I can see why sponsors continue to invite him. He’s a great guy at heart.”
