John Daly returns to winning ways

John Daly proved he could win on his own terms.

Tired of being told how to live, he walked out of a rehabilitation clinic two years ago and found himself at a critical juncture in his turbulent career.

Redemption came Sunday at the BMW International Open, where Daly won for the first time in six years.

``I'm sure a lot of people gave up on me, but I hadn't,'' Daly said. ``I'm a fighter.''

Tied with Padraig Harrington going to the 72nd hole, Daly took advantage of his power with a massive drive that set up an easy birdie and his first victory since winning the British Open in a playoff at St. Andrews in 1995.

It was one of the strongest performances of his career, capped off by a 6-under 66 that enabled Daly to tie a European tour record of 261 set by Jerry Anderson in the 1984 European Masters.

Harrington, who had a one-stroke lead over Daly going into the final round, tried to reach the par-5 18th hole with his second shot. Instead, his 3-wood went into the water and he had to get up-and-down for par.

Daly was just off the green, chipped to 2 feet and tapped in for birdie to claim the $270,000 first prize, the largest paycheck of his career.

He had played 151 events on the PGA and European tours without winning, and it looked as though he might never get his game -- or his life -- in shape again.

Since winning the British Open for his second major championship, his third marriage crumbled and he broke off a two-year relationship this summer, only to marry for the fourth time a month later.

``I have a great wife, a great family and friends I trust with my life,'' he said. ``But this one I did by myself.''

He also got a bottle of champagne for winning. He gave that to journalists.

Daly says he no longer is consumed by drinking, only playing good golf. He finally got some results against a strong field at the BMW International Open, the final tournament for Europeans to make the Ryder Cup team.

Harrington was a runner-up for the sixth time this year.

``It's nice to see John back in the winner's circle -- apart from the fact it's me who's second,'' Harrington said. ``He did everything that he is known for from his two major wins. Anybody can hit it long, but it's the fact that he was so straight.

``He is a lovely putter, has a lovely touch and it adds up to a very nice player.''

Daly did not stumble into this victory. He fought it out with Harrington throughout the round, bouncing back from an early two-stroke deficit with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes to tie for the lead.

Thomas Levet finished third, seven strokes behind Daly.

Europe's Ryder Cup team did not change, with Phillip Price of Wales holding down the 10th spot. Sam Torrance used his two captain's picks on Sergio Garcia and Jesper Parnevik.

The BMW International is hardly a major, but it felt like one to Daly.

Earlier this summer, when he tied for third in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, he said his next victory would be the greatest of his career.

``Not too many people would have made it this far,'' Daly said.

It was the seventh victory of his career, and third overseas. Daly also won twice in Africa in 1990 when his career was just getting started. A year later, he drove by night to Indiana when he got into the PGA Championship as the ninth alternate.

The ``Wild Thing'' was born. He overwhelmed Crooked Stick with his grip-it-and-rip-it swing to win his first major, and his life has been on a roller coaster ever since.

Daly said the turning point was 1999.

Part of his endorsement contract with Callaway demanded that he not drink and stay out of casinos. Daly ended two years' of sobriety that summer, and walked away from a $3 million deal when he walked out of that clinic.

``I had to decide whether I wanted to try to move forward or look for something else,'' he said. ``I wanted to play golf and the other problem was that there was nothing else I could do. Golf has been my life since I was 4.''

Daly was determined to work hard this year, and installed a practice green at his house in Arkansas so he could work on his wedge game. He says he often gets up at 6 a.m. to hit balls.

``I get up about the time I used to come in,'' he said.

Still on the agenda is a victory on the PGA Tour, but his 18-hole duel with Harrington can only help his confidence.

``I just want to thank everybody around the world who's been rooting for me, because it has been a long time, a long six years,'' Daly said. ``This trophy belongs to all of them, as well.''

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