Daly wants Shanghai surprise at BMW Asian

John Daly is on the mend and is looking to give the galleries at Tomson Pudong Golf Club a Shanghai surprise with a return to form at the upcoming US$2.3 million BMW Asian Open from April 19-22.

The two-time Major winner, famed for his booming drives, pulled a muscle near his shoulder blade in early March when he tried to stop his backswing after becoming distracted by a woman snapping his photo during a tournament in Florida. He promptly withdrew from the tournament.

“I am feeling better now, still a little sore, but I should be fine by Shanghai,” said the extremely popular 40-year-old American.

“Normally, nothing bothers me but when you are in the middle of your backswing, it’s tough,” he added.

Daly is a cult hero in golf and attracts massive crowds wherever he plays. One of the biggest hitters in golf, Daly has topped the US PGA Tour in Driving Distance for 10 seasons (1991 – 1993, 1995-2002) and his lifetime average for distance off the tee is reportedly 309.4 yards.

He first shot to fame in 1991 when he won a major – US PGA Championship – in his rookie season. He was the ninth and final alternate to play in the Championship and was only allowed to enter after Nick Price dropped out and no other alternate could play. Daly grabbed this opportunity and started the tournament with a 69 without a practice round. He went on to shoot rounds of 67-69-71 for a three-stroke victory over Bruce Lietzke.

Four years later, he won a second major - the 1995 British Open – at the famed St. Andrews by beating Italian Constantino Rocca in a playoff. Daly, a five-time PGA Tour winner, last played in China in 2002 in Dongguan and is eager to return to China.

“I haven’t been in China as much (as I want),” said Daly.

“China golf is really growing and it’s an honour to be part of this world-class event. I haven’t played this course before and hopefully the golf course suits my game and I can play really well there. I know Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey are going to be there and I’m sure it will be a first-class tournament. Whoever wins – and I hope it’s me – the fans can expect a lot of great golf.”

Daly is no stranger to winning on both the European and Asian Tours. In 2001, he captured the BMW International Open in Munich on the European Tour and two years later, he triumphed at the Korean Open on the Asian Tour closing with a four-under-68.

Known for his generosity and being involved in many charitable causes off-the-course, Daly, nicknamed ‘The Lion’, has established a charitable foundation devoted to helping the poor and needy since 2004. He even has two annual golf tournaments, the Lion’s Heart Invitational Celebrity Am and the John Daly Golf Classic, which helps raise funds for charity. Daly, who loves writing lyrics and playing the guitar, has even recorded an album titled “My Life” with guest performances from famous country singer Willie Nelson and Johnny Lee.

Despite an injury-hit season last year, Daly is feeling confident of bouncing back.

“I last played in the BMW Asian Open in 2002 when it was in Chinese Taipei and I’m looking forward to coming to Shanghai,” said Daly. “I’ve rededicated my life to golf and I’ve been practicing real hard this year, he added. “I’ve got a new swing coach to help me now and I need the extra eyes now that I’m a little older. I feel my game is coming around round and I love the way I’m swinging. I just need to start making some putts and I’ll be fine.”

If Daly can produce his usual firepower and soft touches on the green, he could become the first non-European to win the BMW Asian Open. European players had won the tournament every year since its inauguration. Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden took the honours in 2001, while Padraig Harrington was the 2002 winner. Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez won in 2004 while Ernie Els triumphed in stunning fashion in 2005.

Defending champion is Spaniard Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño who defeated current European Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson in a dramatic play-off last year.

April 5, 2007

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