“I told him I loved the pants” said Ashlan Wiley, a volunteer caddie. “He said, ‘Thank you, hon.’ ”

John Daly, a five-time PGA tour winner, chatted with the players and caddies, singed autographs, and paused for photographs while walking from green to tee boxes.

With a recent hip problem, Daly has had problems returning to the PGA Tour on a regular basis. The effort of last year’s lap-band surgery and better diets has kept the former 300-pounder at a steady 185.

“Everything else is great,” Daly said.

Daly’s playing partner was easily won over by his new look.

“Watching all his trials and tribulations, watching him coming back, and being with him in person is fabulous,” amateur Scott Summers said. “His weight loss is amazing. What’s even more amazing is the force that he strikes the ball with.”

This year Daly has played in nine events and making the cut in six consecutive tournaments. The hip problem forced him to withdraw on Sunday from his two most recent tournaments. Daly last played Colonial in 1999.

Daly is expected to play in the St. Jude Classic Tournament in Memphis, TN June 10-13.

Many people, both inside and outside the gallery ropes, have weighed in on the Tiger Woods situation.

Some have been somewhat supportive of Tiger, others have condemned him and others want to merely change the subject. The gamut of opinions has been interesting, but one person’s I’ve found most compelling is that of John Daly.

We don’t have to review Daly’s life of hard times on and off the PGA tour. He was suspended once for conduct unbecoming of a PGA member, he’s been married four times with one of his wives spending time in prison for a federal offense.

He once played in pro-am without a shirt and hit tee shots off the top of a beer can during an exhibition. On another occasion, he finished a practice round in his bare feet after he gave a fan his golf shoes while walking up the 18th fairway.

Tiger was one of many who criticized Daly for this kind of behavior. Yet, when Daly was presented with a free shot to take a swipe at Tiger, he refused. Instead, he was supportive, saying the PGA tour needs Tiger more than Tiger needs the tour.

Daly hoped Tiger would get his personal life in order; that saving his marriage was more important than golf at this point and that he hoped Tiger and wife, Elin, would stay together not because of their children or monetary benefits but that they stay together because they loved each other.

Daly even said he tried to reach Tiger to offer him some help, if he wanted help from a guy who understood more than anyone what it meant to be under the microscope.

If anyone would feel the need to gloat over Tiger’s difficult times, it would be Daly. Yet, he felt compelled to take the high road.

Which is another reason to root for Daly.

Thanks to Bruce Buratti for content.

John Lights Up Turin

Daly is a Dazzler

Fashionable Runner Up

John Daly’s Lurid Trousers Help Him Enjoy Italian Renaissance–I had to reference this one. After all, have you ever read a  headline containing  “lurid trousers” and “renaissance”?

John on playing at the Irish Open

On this day in 1971, Vice President Spiro Agnew hit a couple tee shots into the crowd and injured two spectators.

Here in the Lion’s Pit, we love comments like this:

“These guys who have never sniffed a Major (Brandel, John Hawkins, Brian) never miss a chance to rip on John Daly, always looking down their noses and harrumphing about how bad Daly is for golf. They are so out of touch with most of us, it is pathetic. Face it, guys – people LIKE John Daly a lot…. the reasons are unimportant, they like him, so shaddup and deal with it.”

Certainly, Australia golf fans love John. His recent November trip proved to be a Panacea for Australian golf. According to The Daily Telegraph, John was mentioned in Australia’s major newspapers 442 times. This delivered an estimated press and media exposure value of $3 million (or more).