JD's Return: 'I've Had Enough Drama'

Cladakis plans to accompany Daly to Memphis, where in 2007 he showed up at the tournament with scratches on his face. He stated in a police report that his wife, Sherrie, attacked him with a steak knife. She alleged that Daly's wounds were self-inflicted. Divorce proceedings between Sherrie, his fourth wife, and Daly are ongoing. She still lives in Memphis. It is never dull with Big John. In 1993, during a practice round at the Masters, Daly was served divorce papers between nines by Bettye, his second wife.

"I don't need any more drama," said Daly. "I've had enough drama for 100 lifetimes. People think I'm a raging alcoholic, raising hell every night. But here in Europe, I play golf, practice, maybe have dinner with Anna when she was with me, then go back to the hotel room and go to sleep. Still smoking? Yeah, gotta do something. I love people and still like to have a good time, but I've been laying low, concentrating on my game. Been through a lot of emotional stuff the last couple years, lost a bunch of sponsors, and I've taken a beating in the media. But I ain't giving up."

Daly said he "definitely" could use a financial boost and will continue to play the European Tour. "I got no chance to make 15 events in the States, but I got a shot at the Race To Dubai," he said. One commercial affiliation that Daly has added during his switch to svelte is with Loudmouth, which manufactures rather colorful pants. Detractors might cringe, but as Daly's agent, Bud Martin, says, Big John is one guy who can pull it off. Now, if only Daly can apply a similar glow to his résumé. He owns two majors, but his last tour victory was the 2004 Buick Invitational, not that his adoring public demands he finish first. Just show up.

"I'm excited about getting back to the States," Daly said. "People are great to me there. Support is unbelievable. I still think I could win, and if I did, that would be awesome. I'm rolling the ball pretty good on the greens. You never know. For sure, the weather will be better. Love these Loudmouth pants, but we get lots of rain in Europe, and they don't make gear for that. Gotta talk to them about that."