Shaking uncontrollably and tears streaming down his face, John Daly had good reason to pack it in during the first round of the Greater Vancouver Open in Surrey, British Columbia.
But instead of yet another midround exit, the troubled PGA Tour star fought his way through it Thursday, finishing the final four holes for a 3-over-par 74 that left him 10 strokes behind leader Payne Stewart."He just said `I've got the shakes. I've got the shakes and it's something I've got to deal with,"' said David Frost, who was in Daly's threesome, along with Corey Pavin.
Pavin and Frost tried to comfort Daly, who put on two jackets even though the temperature was in the mid-80s.
"It's hard to see. You feel sorry for him," Pavin said. "I know he's working really hard and trying to stay off the alcohol, and he's doing a great job, a very admirable job."
Daly, struggling through a difficult year and battling alcoholism, began shaking at the 15th hole. Looking distraught and haggard, he crossed his arms on his chest and walked around the green, tears coming down his face. A television commentator noted that Daly couldn't sip a diet soda.
Daly parred No. 15, immediately dropping his putter after hitting the shot. He then birdied the 16th hole.
He declined to speak with reporters afterward.
"He's down," said Pavin, who shot a 70. "Things have been very hard for him, he hasn't had a very good year. It takes a lot of courage and heart to stay out there and finish up that round."
WORLD SERIES OF GOLF: At Akron, Ohio, Phil Mickelson continued his mastery of Firestone Country Club with four birdies on the back nine for a 4-under-par 66 and a one-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Craig Parry after Thursday's opening round of the NEC World Series of Golf.