Fans' favorite Daly gets Riviera boost
PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Fans' favorite John Daly gave himself a welcome boost by shooting a two-under-par 69 in the Northern Trust Open first round on Thursday.
The big-hitting American, playing on a sponsor's exemption after struggling on and off the course for the last two years, has finished in the money just once in four PGA Tour starts this season.
"The wind really picked up on the back nine and made it play a lot tougher but it's nice to finally get off to a decent start," Daly told reporters after ending the opening round four shots off the lead.
"I made a good putt on one and made a really good birdie on three and then five. When you get off to a start like that, you feel like you can feed off it for the rest of the day with confidence and shots towards the green."
Daly is still struggling with the effects of a rib injury sustained at the Honda Classic last March when he was disturbed on his back swing by a spectator taking a photograph.
"A woman took a picture and I came down and separated my shoulder and fractured my rib," the double major winner said. "I tried to play through it all last year and had to withdraw from tournaments because it kept popping out."
After earning $9,805 in his first Tour event this season at the Sony Open, Daly was forced to pull out of the final round of the Bob Hope Classic the following week because of the injury.
He then missed the cut at the Buick Invitational and Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
PAST CHAMPION
Having played out of the past champion category on the PGA Tour last year, Daly is now relying mainly on sponsors' invitations to get into tournaments.
"At Pebble, that's the best it's ever felt," the 1995 British Open champion said. "But I'm still scared to really go at it.
"I'm scared to take the club all the way back because the muscle is still there but at least I can shorten the swing and the follow through."
The 41-year-old American believes he is reaping the benefits of working with Tiger Woods's former swing coach Butch Harmon.
"I like the way I've had to shorten my swing and it's starting to come around a little bit and I'm starting to play a little better," Daly said. "It's all serious and I love Butch Harmon."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
