Harmon Done with Daly

Butch Harmon has ended his brief and uneventful tenure with everyone's lovable, common man John Daly.

The two became associated with each other when they had shot a series of Winn Grips commercials last year. They started working together earlier this year in hopes of restoring the form that helped Daly win two major championships in the '90s. But when Harmon became aware of, among other things, recent published reports that Daly’s problems with alcohol abuse had resurfaced, he became frustrated.

There were eyewitness reports out of California that Daly had to be helped from at least one of the parties he attended in January at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Then the Tampa Tribune ran a story in its Sunday editions detailing a Daly appearance Saturday at a nearby Hooters Owls Nest during which Daly reportedly consumed multiple beers and autographed the blue-jeaned back end of one female fan.

Harmon said he hasn’t spoken to Daly in 10 days. And, he added, “I don’t even want to be associated with him now.”

My take on the whole thing is, are you really surprised to read this news? It was just a matter of time when this parting ways were to happen. Daly is still blaming the 2007 Honda Classic as his reason for not playing well. If you recall, Daly heard a picture being snapped in mid swing and pulled a rib muscle. He's been blaming this injury for his inconsistent play and has considered suing the event for his injury.

John Daly is always going to be one of the most watched golfers no matter what his actions are. He still comes across as the regular guy you just want to root for. Unfortunately though, with 3 missed cuts and a withdrawal in 7 events, he's running out of time for fans to root for him. He doesn't have his PGA Tour Card and is only playing a handful of tournaments on sponsors exemptions.

This could be the big man's last hurrah. As much as I wish he could, he'll never return to his early 90's form. After this year, considering his level of play, it's going to be tough for him to be granted more than a handful of sponsors exemptions which could send him back to Q-School for the 2009 or 2010 seasons. He's always going to be a big draw but it's not worth it to the tournament sponsors to have a big draw for two days, knowing the chances of him making the cut are slim to none. Nor is it fair to a young player that's really busting his hump on hopes of making it to the big dance.

It might be time to bid farewell to our old pal JD. That is until he turns 50 and becomes eligible for the Champions Tour, but that's in 9 years. Plenty of time to work on his game though.