Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:18 pm EDT
Nobody this side of Tiger Woods creates golf news out of thin air quite like John Daly, and the country-singing motor-home gypsy has done it again with his announcement that he'll be playing in the Australian Open and the Australian PGA tournaments later this year. Previously, Daly had bowed out of the events, but recent surgery has gone better than expected, and the Loudmouth-clad one is ready to get back in the game.
"My recovery from stem cell surgery has been closely monitored by my doctor and I have been cleared to begin playing competitively in two weeks," Daly said in a statement. "As such, I have added the Viking Classic to my 2009 U.S. schedule plus have accepted invitations to play in the 2009 Australian Open and 2009 Australian PGA Championship. I regret the confusion the injury process has caused but I'm relieved things have begun moving in the right direction."
Or, as he put it on Twitter in language that sounds a whole lot closer to how he'd really speak, Daly wrote:
"My rib is feeling a little better---Just committed to play the 'Viking Classic' in Jackson, Mississippi---Hope to see you all out there! ... oh and yes----gonna hit the AUSSIE TOUR!"
Daly, you'll recall, caused a bit of a stir in Australia last year when he smashed a fan's camera against a tree. (In all fairness to Daly, reports indicated that the guy had it coming.) Since his return to the Tour earlier this year, he'd been a model citizen, playing well until a range of injuries and exhaustion slowed him down. Daly's life is always a rollercoaster, so perhaps the fact that he didn't fall too far this time means he's got more ups ahead.
So good luck Down Under, John. The golf world's always more interesting with you in it.
John Daly to playi n Australia [AP via Yahoo! Sports]
Devil Ball is a golf blog edited by Jay Busbee. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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24 Comments
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Daly had unmistakable talent, however, his personal demons whatever they may be, have unfortunately sapped his game to now whenever and wherever he plays, it is not about the competition, or whether he will win, or his once- prodigous drives, but now it is whether he will finish the round, punch a fan, drink beer while playing, take off his shirt, get divorced during the round, etc. etc. He is nothing more than a carnival act. Sad, very very sad.
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JD please, no drama over yonder...forget about those double D's and forget about double bogies as well. Remember, pars, a ocassional birdie, 1 or two bogies, and no double bogies!
Then get those DD's...
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What did I miss? Does he have cancer? Leukemia?
Can someone tell me why he needed stem cell inject?
JD is like the "Jon and Kate" of the PGA. He's such an idiot; I fear that he went and did something really stupid, again.
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Well, whoever she is, if history repeats itself, she will get her hair pulled, be choked, or in some way abused. That seems to be Mr. Daly's modus operandi. Some women will stoop to anything just to "have" a man in their life.
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You try swinging a golf club a couple of hundred times a day...just to prepare for a four day stint which usually consists of walking over four miles a day for four consecutive days...20 to 30 times in a nine month period...and that's how you make your living!!! My suspect is you don't have the foggiest as to what John Daly or, any other professional golfer, goes through on a "daily" basis just to bring home the bread. Get real man...try the sport of golf before you shoot off your mouth about something you obviously know nothing about. John Daly, and other pro golfers, don't take the pictures and write the stories that make the news. Their bag is WORK...stamina...strength....patience...nerves of steel...and a tolerance for imperfection while striving for that perfect round in a world that very few (ncluding you) would ever dare stake your future on!
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Good luck John, look foreward to seeing you on the US tour.
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Great posts. My daddy taught me words of wisdom when I as a child, and I quote "Consider the source and rise above it". People who say golf is not a sport are flat out ignorant, and usually they do not even know it. AND, they are usually ignorant or overly self-opionated to an unacceptable level on many subjects.
I do think #20 may be a golf pro, due to his level of knowledge -- it is good to hear it from "the horse''s mouth". No. 21 might just be a replica of myself -- just an ordinary, everyday golf lover!
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