PGA: John Daly DQ’d from Palmer Invite

After missing his tee time for a Wednesday pro-am, John Daly was stopped at the gate of the Bay Hill Club and Resort to tell him that he has been un-invited to the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Daly was playing on a sponsors exemption, as he has the last two years, and per PGA policy any player who misses the pro-am event is disqualified from the tournament.  The wave of bad luck fell onto the two alternates that weren’t at the course at the time of Daly’s non-arrival.  Nick O’Hern and Ryuji Imada were also disqualified for not being available as alternates. 

To add insult to injury, Daly’s coach Butch Harmon fired the controversial, but loved, fallen star.  On Tuesday, Harmon told the press that he was no longer working with Daly because drinking was more important than golf.  A shocked Daly sent a text message to the swing guru, “All I wish you’d done is call me.”  The firing stemmed from Daly’s antics at the PODS Championship where he spent a two and a half hour rain delay in the Hooters corporate tent.  Daly came out of the delay with Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden as his caddie.  After missing the cut, Daly spent Saturday at the Hooters tent drinking and signing autographs, notably a woman’s behind.

Daly is still a draw at any tournament he receives an exemption.  With seven tournaments entered in 2008, Daly has missed three cuts and withdrew from the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic with an injury, though he was spotted the night before at several parties.  His best finish was at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, an event played during the Match Play Championships.  The question is…how long will it be before sponsors stop giving him an exemption?