McIlroy leads, but Daly in Purple Pants wins hearts
By V. Krishnaswamy, IANSThursday, July 15, 2010
St.ANDREWS - Drama and romance go hand- in-hand with the British Open. After Greg Norman’s heroics in 2008 and Tom Watson’s ‘nearly’ effort last year, this year it seems to be John Daly who has done just about everything in his life the way it should not be.
Daly was the story of the day on which a 21-year-old Rory McIlroy shot a historic 63, equalling the record for the lowest round at a Major. Tiger Woods, seeking to redeem himself after all that has happened off the course over last eight months, was not out of the championships - he never really is, till he misses the cut - and he brought home a round of 67, despite a trip into the famous ‘Valley of Sin’ on the 18th hole.
McIlroy turned in three-under that included an eagle on par-4 ninth. On the back nine, he shot a 30 with six birdies and blew the opposition away till South African Louis Oosthuizen threatened to join him with a score of eight-under 16 holes at the time of writing.
Calling it a “very pleasant round of golf”, McIlroy, added, “It’s probably the most special round of my career.”
McIlroy, eight-under at 17th, thought the lowest round in a Major and admitted to thinking about it. “It’s probably why I missed the putt (on 17th).” In the end it was a 63, which he nevertheless equalled.
His stunning eagle on the ninth came with a driver to fifteen feet and then he holed the putt. That spurred his round as he went six-under for the back nine.
Daly, who claimed that he had not been to a Media Tent at the Open since 1995, when he won the British Open at St. Andrews, was at his witty best.
Clad in Paisley Purple Pants - his girlfriend, Anna Cladakis, a former Hooters girl wore a matching skirt - Daly zoomed through the front nine in five-under 31 and then added two birdies an a bogey on the Road Hole for a day’s work of 66 that put him in tied second.
Also at 66 was Andrew Coltart, a surprise after having been in the commentary booth for last two Opens and not qualifying for the last seven editions of the event.
The perfect windless golfing conditions despite the slight rain and hovering clouds saw almost 50 players come in with sub-par scores.
With a good part of the field still out on the St. Andrews layout, both Daly and Coltart could be overtaken but chances are McIlroy will stay in front at nine-under 63.
Woods, winner here in 2000 and 2005 - he had a third Open in Hoylake in 2006 - did not do badly with a 67, that included six birdies and just one bogey - like Daly, he bogeyed the modified Road Hole.
Daly in the past few years had made more news for his divorces - he has had four - besides gambling debts, drunken bouts and suspension from the Tour. He has also written a few country songs - the most well-known in golfing circles is “All My Exes Wear Rolexes”.
Yet he confessed he loves St. Andrews, where he won in 1995. “I’ve not been here (Media Room) since 1995,” he quipped. And then said maybe the Media should call him the “Mild Thing” instead of “The Wild Thing” since his wild days are over.
He has given up drinking, lost over a 100 pounds thanks to a stomach surgery, relies on diet cola for his caffeine and has a former Hooters’ Director as his girlfriend. He has lost over Six million dollars in sponsorship over last two to three years, owes the tax department more than a million dollars and make the world’s top-500 in rankings by just one spot at 499.
Yet he is loved as the crowd showed its support with placards that read “John Daly the Living Legend” and “John Daly for President” on the Road running along the 17th and 18th and under the legendary Tom Morris’ golf shop at St. Andrews.
Daly took advantage of perfect conditions - grey and drizzly alright but without any wind - and slotted seven birdies in his first 11 holes. He took a bogey on 17 - a hole that requires players to hit their tee shot over the famous Old Course Hotel and which many reckon ought to be a par-5 - and then missed a birdie on 18th by a whisker. He ended with a 66 and a big round of applause on the course and in the media room.
He was dressed in a baby blue sweater vest worn over a pink t-shirt and donned purple paisley pants.
On Tuesday, he met the media and said he was keen to win the four-hole Champions Challenge, but it was cancelled because of inclement weather on Wednesday. Now he wants a shot at the Open, itself. What a story that would make. Maybe as good as one that Norman may have made in 2008 or Watson in 2009 or even Tiger this year. But Daly wants that. And the crowd would love it, too.
