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John Daly Urges Calls to Florida Times-Union Writer Garry Smits After Embarrassing Article

Yesterday, the Florida Times-Union published an article by long time writer Garry Smits that contained the full details of John Daly's PGA Tour personnel file.  The FTU obtained the file because of a lawsuit instigated by Daly against Morris Publishing.  As a result of a summary judgment against Daly, the personnel file became a matter of court, and therefore public, record.

As it turns out, that file is pretty large. 456 pages large. And it has some really embarrassing details of Daly's career off the course.  The summary is:

  • PGA Tour ordered John Daly to undergo counseling or enter alcohol rehabilitation centers seven time
  • disciplined him for hitting golf shots off the top of a beer can during a pro-am
  • cited him 21 times for "failure to give best efforts"
  • Daly was fined nearly $100,000
  • suspended from the Tour five times
  • placed on probation six times
  • cited 11 times for "conduct unbecoming a professional"

Naturally, Daly was embarrassed by the revelation.  He was so embarrassed that Daly went on a tirade on Twitter against Smits.  There were three tweets sent.  Two of which have since been deleted, but one deleted message reads:

Over the haters--To me, this isn't journalism, it's papparazzi--like gossip BS! Please try harder to find some REAL news next time Gary

The final tweet - still active - contains Smits' cell phone number.

Dalytweet_medium

The phone number that Daly handed out is Smits' cell, though the article itself contains Smits' email address and work phone number.  Smits says that 10-12 people have called him.  As of 1pm ET, Daly has removed all messages with Smits' phone number.

The Associated Press reported on the incident today and spoke with Daly via text message.

"Gary left his cell number and e-mail address from phone number he left in the article public record far as I'm concerned," said Daly.

Daly lied, though.  The phone number associated with Smits' article is his office line, 904.359.4362.  That is not the number that Daly tweeted.  Therefore, it is not public record.

Daly commented last week in interviews that he would like to see Tiger Woods come back at the Masters, offering conjecture into a subject highly stalked by the papparazzi.

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Oh sure, RB – just glom onto my post yesterday !!

The article is Daly’s fault. He started the law suit that brought his record into court which, after the appeal, made that record part of public record. It was a stupid law suit to begin with…he has nobody to blame but himself. If he had read the article, he would have seen that Smits wasn’t bashing Daly, he was pointing out how supportive and patient the Tour had been with him.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 3, 2010 10:42 AM EST reply actions  

heh heh heh

Like you said, JD brought this on himself.

And now he is acting like a child about it.

Makes you wonder how much he has really changed.

by Old Man Par on Mar 3, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

I read the Smits article

from the link you posted yesterday, Court. I thought it was objectively written…and relevant considering the basis of John Daly’s new show is about his “last chance” to change and make it on Tour.

What a lost opportunity for him – he could have taken that article and shared with us how he is going to improve as a golfer and a man – but instead he calls in the fans to attack a writer…which only draws more attention to his past. I’m not impressed and I wonder, too, how much “reality” will be in reality show.

I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.

by red tees on Mar 3, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Smits was asked about the apparent timing of the article. He said it was purely coincidental. The records just recently made it to the public records there in Jacksonville.

I’m with you on this new “reality” show. Since Gulbis let the cat out of the bag about how staged her show was, it’s hard to believe the “reality” part.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 3, 2010 2:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I am not wasting my time with an hour of PR and pity calls.

by Old Man Par on Mar 4, 2010 9:59 AM EST up reply actions  

I watched his show last night

I thought it was well done. I give John all the credit in the world for trying to fix his broken self. It takes a bigger man to admit his mistakes and to apologize without being asked to.

Nobody will ever be able to take away his accomplishment of having won multiple major championships. That is something few on tour will ever have.

"pain is only weakness leaving the body"

by progolf on Mar 3, 2010 10:54 AM EST reply actions  

Agreed jumpn

but perhaps you should extend Tiger the same sentiment.

Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana

by tigerhead on Mar 3, 2010 7:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Steve Elling goes on the attack

How about THIS jewel from Steve Elling ? Daly posts a 140 tweet that shows his immature streak.

ELLING, in his attempt to show “solidarity” with a journalistic brother – posts a 1200 word attack piece.

Did Daly OR Elling read Smits’ article ? This makes Daly and Elling look like two peas in a pod.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 3, 2010 12:22 PM EST reply actions  

Thanks for the link…a little overboard, but he makes some valid points, too.

I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.

by red tees on Mar 3, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Daly needs to grow up...

and stop whining! His call for harassment of a reporter should be grounds for legal action. I have been a supporter in the past, but he really has gotten to be a bit too much for me.

by handicapismyswing on Mar 4, 2010 11:14 AM EST reply actions  

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