A drunk and out-of-control John Daly smashed up his hotel room and was hospitalized with chest pains just hours before he withdrew from the Players Championship.
Daly, an admitted alcoholic, said Sunday he would immediately begin treatment for his drinking problem.The 30-year-old golfer with a history of erratic behavior was seen drinking for several hours in a nightspot called Sloppy Joe's on Thursday after he shot a 76 in the first round at the Players Championship.
Daly sang with the band and was loud but not abusive, according to several witnesses. He was escorted out by friends after more than three hours of drinking.
Later that night, he did more than $1,000 damage to his hotel room and was hospitalized after complaining of chest pains, according to Kevin Kelshaw, spokesman for the St. Johns County sheriff's office.
"I know he was admitted to the hospital early Friday morning," Kelshaw said. "He complained of chest pains after the disturbance at the hotel room and was admitted."
Kelshaw didn't know when Daly was released or how he was treated and could not specify the damage Daly did to his hotel room. He said Daly was taken to the hospital by a rescue squad.
Later Friday, Daly withdrew from the tournament, citing a sore hip.
"I apologize to others who struggle with me in fighting this disease," Daly said in a statement released through his agent. "I'm going to do my best and hopefully we will prevail together."
There was no indication how long he would be away from golf, though it is almost certain he will miss the Masters in two weeks.
Buddy Martin, one of his agents for Cambridge Sports International, said Daly already had entered the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, Calif. Martin said he was awakened Friday morning with a call from Daly's wife Paulette saying her husband needed help.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said it was an "important step" for Daly to "recognize and acknowledge his disease and his relapse."
It was not clear if the PGA Tour would take action against Daly.
"We fully support his decision to enter the Betty Ford program and we admire his courage in taking the action he has to find the best professional help he can," Finchem said. "John is doing what is best for him, and we wish him well."
Daly entered an alcohol rehabilitation program in 1993 but late last year admitted he was drinking "socially."
"In August of 1996 I suffered a setback in dealing with my disease," Daly said. "Until that time, I felt I had won the battle alone by simply stopping the act of drinking. I've come to realize this terrible disease is much tougher than I thought and have decided with the support of my family and friends to let others help me."