Inside John Daly’s week-long party at Hooters as golf legend poses with fans and waitresses at Masters in Augusta
EVERY year, without fail, John Daly is at the Masters.
But, he is not playing at Augusta – and hasn’t since 2006. He is doing something else he is brilliant at. Party.
For ‘Wild Thing’, as he is known for his love of vices including smoking, drinking and women, has made a guest appearance at the local Hooters there – famous for scantily-clad waitresses serving up piping hot chicken wings – for the past 26 years.
Daly has been a brand ambassador for the restaurant chain, ever since he was handed a lifetime ‘black card’ that entitled him to free grub.
His first purchase with it, was to buy the whole bar a beer for attending.
You may have seen Daly sporting a pair of bright orange trousers at St Andrews last year, while puffing on a cigarette.
And this year, nothing seems to have changed – except perhaps for Daly’s appearance.
Sporting a huge beard and perhaps a bigger belly, looking like a ZZ Top tribute act, Daly is all smiles as he welcomes patrons and poses for photos.
Even the waitresses are in on the act – grabbing a photo op with the notorious ladies man (married four times) and smiling gleefully.
Then there’s the merch.
Signed Augusta flags are the most popular – with over 1,000 signed a day by the great man.
Trucker caps and T-shirts with various slogans on, including his famous “Grip It and Rip It” catchphrase.
There’s a John F—— Daly” driver headcover.
And, rather splendidly, there are autographed photos of Daly attempting to smash a ball of a railway line with a can of beer on the track.
Incredibly, fans queue from 11am down Washington Road to catch a glimpse of the star attraction.
For eight hours a day, Daly obliges by signing everything that’s thrown at him.
Once, a woman passed him a black marker pen, pulled her pants down, and thrust her backside in his direction.
“I love my life,” he exclaimed.
Last year, when the week was out – Daly shunned his fellow golfers.
Instead, he drove to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach for a Hootie and the Blowfish concert.
Amusingly, he joined the band on stage for a rendition of the Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – popularised further by rockers Guns N’ Roses.
But forget Axl Rose. Daly is only the rock star around when the Masters kicks off.