John Daly Net Worth 2024- Career, Wife, Age, Height, and …
John Daly is one of professional golf history’s most colorful and controversial figures. Known for his prodigious driving distance off the tee and his unorthodox personal life, Daly burst onto the scene in 1991 with a shock victory at the PGA Championship. He has remained a compelling personality in the sport for over 30 years.
His powerful swing and “grip it and rip it” style made him a fan favorite. At the same time, his struggles with addiction and personal demons have been well-documented throughout his tumultuous career. This blog post will explore the life and career of golf’s “Wild Thing” – from his early beginnings to his major championship victories and beyond.
Early Life and Education
John Patrick Daly was born in Carmichael, California, on April 28, 1966. His father, Jim Daly, worked in construction while his mother, Lou, was a homemaker. The Daly family moved frequently during John’s childhood, living in several small towns across the Southern United States.
When John was four, the family settled in Dardanelle, Arkansas. He was first introduced to golf here, playing at the Bay Ridge Boat and Golf Club. Even as a young child, Daly showed natural talent and a passion for the game. He idolized Jack Nicklaus and dreamed of following in his footsteps as a professional golfer.
The Dalys later moved to Zachary, Louisiana, where John attended ninth grade. He then transferred to Helias High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, for his sophomore year. At Helias, Daly lettered in both football and golf. He was part of the school’s state championship-winning golf team in 1983.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | John Patrick Daly |
Date of Birth | April 28, 1966 |
Age | 57 years (as of 2024) |
Birthplace | Carmichael, California, USA |
Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
Weight | 215-220 pounds (98-100 kg) |
Nationality | American |
Daly’s golf game continued to improve throughout his teenage years. At age 17, he won the 1983 Missouri State Amateur Championship and followed it up by winning the 1984 Arkansas State Amateur.
After graduating high school, Daly attended the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship from 1984 to 1987. However, his college career was marked by conflicts with coaches over his drinking and poor class attendance. Daly left Arkansas without completing his degree to turn professional in 1987.
Age and Physique
John Daly, born in 1966, is currently 57 years old. In his prime, Daly stood 5’11” tall and weighed around 215-220 pounds. However, his weight has fluctuated significantly over the years, sometimes ballooning to over 300 pounds.
Daly’s powerful physique and rotund figure became part of his everyman appeal to fans. Unlike many pro golfers’ trim and athletic builds, Daly’s portly frame and casual demeanor made him relatable to the average weekend golfer. His weight struggles have been an ongoing issue, contributing to health problems later in his career.
In 2009, Daly underwent lap-band surgery to lose weight, dropping from 310 pounds to 185 pounds. He has continued to battle his weight in recent years but has maintained a slimmer physique compared to his heaviest days on touTourersonal Life and ReTouronships
John Daly’s personal life has been as volatile as his golf game. He has been married four times and divorced four times. His tumultuous relationships and off-course antics have often overshadowed his golf achievements.
Daly’s first marriage was to Dale Crafton in 1987. The union lasted only three years before ending in divorce in 1990. In 1992, he married his second wife, Bettye Fulford. They had a daughter, Shynah, together but divorced in 1995 amid allegations of domestic violence.
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Later, in 1995, Daly married Paulette Dean. They welcomed a daughter, Sierra, that same year but separated in 1999. His fourth and most recent marriage was to Sherrie Miller in 2001. They had a son, John Patrick Daly II, in 2003.
This marriage was particularly volatile, with both Daly and Miller struggling with substance abuse issues. They divorced in 2010 after a highly publicized incident where Miller allegedly attacked Daly with a steak knife.
Relationship | Details |
---|---|
Father | Jim Daly |
Mother | Lou Daly |
First Wife | Dale Crafton (1987-1990) |
Second Wife | Bettye Fulford (1992-1995) |
Third Wife | Paulette Dean (1995-1999) |
Fourth Wife | Sherrie Miller (2001-2010) |
Children | Shynah (with Bettye Fulford), Sierra (with Paulette Dean), John Patrick Daly II (with Sherrie Miller) |
Daly has been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction throughout his adult life. He has undergone multiple stints in rehab facilities over the years in attempts to get sober. His hard-partying lifestyle and multiple divorces have taken a toll both personally and financially.
Professional Career
John Daly turned professional in 1987 and earned his PGA Tour card for the 1991 season. His career started incredibly when he won the 1991 PGA Championship as the ninth alternate, having driven through the night to make his tee time. This improbable victory shot the long-hitting Daly to instant stardom.
He followed up with a win at the 1992 B.C. Open and claimed his second major title at the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews. Daly’s aggressive style and mammoth drives off the tee earned him the nickname “Long John” and made him one of the Tour’s biggest attractions.
While capable of brilliant play, he also struggled with missed cuts and withdrawals. His ongoing battle with alcoholism and gambling addiction impacted his performance on the course.
Daly experienced a career resurgence in the early 2000s, winning the 2004 Buick Invitational for his fifth and final PGA Tour victory. He continued playing on the PGA Tour into his 50s before transitioning to the PGA Tour Champions senior circuit in 2016.
In total, Daly’s professional career includes:
- 5 PGA Tour wins
- 2 Major Championships (1991 PGA, 1995 Open)
- 3 European TouTourns
- 1 PGA Tour ChampTour win
While his official win tally is relatively low for a player of his talent, Daly’s impact on the game extends far beyond his victory count. His booming drives and “grip it and rip it” style helped usher in a new power era in professional golf.
Net Worth and Earnings
John Daly’s net worth is estimated at around $2-10 million as of 2024. Given Daly’s high-profile career and endorsement potential, this figure is significantly lower than it could have been.
At the peak of his career, Daly’s net worth was estimated to be as high as $65 million. However, he has lost tens of millions of dollars over the years due to gambling addiction, divorces, and other financial missteps.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/br6z7VAkVU
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) July 24, 2024
At his peak, Daly earned over $10 million in official PGA Tour prize money, not including his European Tour winnings or unofficial event paydays. He also earned millions annually from endorsement deals with major brands.
However, Daly has been open about his massive gambling losses over the years. In his 2006 autobiography, he estimated he had lost between $50-60 million gambling during his career. This includes one instance where he lost $1.5 million in a single night playing slot machines in Las Vegas.
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Estimated Net Worth (2024) | $2-10 million |
Peak Net Worth | $65 million |
PGA Tour Earnings | Over $10 million |
Gambling Losses | Estimated $50-60 million |
The combination of gambling losses, multiple divorce settlements, and decreased earning power in recent years has significantly impacted Daly’s overall net worth compared to his earning potential at his peak.
Business Ventures and Investments
Despite his financial struggles, John Daly has been involved in various business ventures over the years:
- JD J.D.signs: Daly’s golf course designJ.D.ompany has worked on several courses worldwide, including Sevillano Links in California and Wicked Stick Golf Links in South Carolina.
- John Daly Wines: Launched in 2006, this wine label ultimately failed and ceased operations.
- Loud Mouth Golf Apparel: Daly has an endorsement deal and signature line with this colorful golf clothing brand.
- Grip It & Sip It: Daly launched his line of cocktails and spirits in 2019.
- Video Games: Daly has appeared as a playable character in multiple golf video games.
Daly has also dabbled in music, releasing multiple country albums, including “My Life” in 2002 and “I Only Know One Way” in 2010.
Regarding real estate, Daly has owned multiple properties over the years but has also faced foreclosures due to financial difficulties. His current primary residence is believed to be in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
Social Media and Contact Information
John Daly maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can keep up with his latest activities:
- Twitter: @PGA_JohnDaly
- Instagram: @pga_johndaly
- Facebook: John Daly PGA Tour
Conclusion
John Daly’s career has been a wild ride filled with incredible highs and challenging lows. From his shocking PGA Championship win as a rookie to his ongoing battles with personal demons, Daly has remained one of golf’s most captivating figures for over three decades.
While his off-course struggles have often overshadowed his on-course achievements, Daly’s impact on the game is undeniable. His powerful drives and everyman appeal helped bring new fans to golf and ushered in a new era of power hitting on the PGA Tour.
As he continues to compete on the senior circuit, John Daly remains a fan favorite and one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities. His story is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring example of resilience in adversity. Love or hate him, there’s no denying that golf would be far less colorful without the presence of the “Wild Thing” John Daly.