John Daly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is John Daly’s Net Worth and Career Earnings?

An American professional golfer, John Daly possesses a net worth of $2 million. Although this amount is significant, it could have been far greater; he has openly acknowledged losing tens of millions due to a severe gambling addiction and several divorces. Details about his gambling misfortunes will be explored in the next section.

Turning pro in 1987, John secured his first major title by winning the PGA Championship in 1991. His second major achievement followed with a victory at the 1995 Open Championship. Over his career, he has claimed five PGA Tour events and three titles from the European Tour. Despite showcasing remarkable talent, John has faced personal challenges like alcohol dependency and gambling, which have often overshadowed his success on the course and led to a troubled career trajectory. Additionally, Daly is noted for his unconventional style, frequently donning vibrant outfits and sporting long hair. His powerful playing style, combined with his capability to make long drives, earned him the moniker “Long John.”

Gambling Losses

In 2006, John Daly shared in his autobiography that he had previously battled a gambling addiction, which has significantly diminished his net worth. He asserts to have lost over $55 million throughout his life. While his overall losses reached approximately $90 million, he managed to recover around $35 million. Thus, his total net losses are estimated to be around $55 million.

He recounted a specific occasion when he lost $1.5 million at a slot machine in Las Vegas in October 2005.

Early Life

Born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, John Patrick Daly grew up in a middle-class family and often relocated across various southern states during his childhood. It was in Arkansas, after settling down, that he first picked up the game of golf. Inspired by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, Daly took his golfing pursuits more earnestly, achieving numerous championships as a teenager.

Career

John Daly embarked on his professional journey in 1987, achieving his first victory at the Missouri Open that same year. In 1990, he triumphed at the Ben Hogan Utah Classic. By 1991, Daly had clinched his initial PGA Championship title, creating a stir in the golf community due to being an underdog. Following a solid season in 1992, he secured third place in the Masters Tournament in 1993. However, in 1994, Daly faced suspension for leaving the course mid-round, which led to his admission into rehab for alcohol dependency.

In 1995, he won the Open Championship, but the next five years were marred by personal issues impacting his golf performance. Despite challenges, 2001 witnessed a resurgence with a victory at the BMW International Open. Several wins followed over the next two years, culminating in a significant comeback with a win at the Buick Invitational in 2004. After a lackluster 2005, his performance declined into a disappointing phase over the ensuing nine years.

Due to his non-exempt status, John had to depend on sponsorships and invites to participate in certain tournaments despite having earned millions during his golfing career. In 2016, he became eligible for the PGA Tour Champions and began winning events again after several years. Daly continued his participation in the Champions Tour but had to go through extensive knee surgery and rehabilitation after an October 2022 event, expressing his determination to return to the sport.

Relationships

John’s initial marriage was to Dale Crafton in 1987; however, they ended their union three years later. Following this, in 1992, Daly wed Bettye Fulford, with whom he had one child. During their marriage, an incident occurred where Daly was charged with third-degree assault after an altercation involving throwing Bettye against a wall. She opted not to pursue charges, and the specifics of the situation were never disclosed. Ultimately, their marriage concluded in divorce in 1995.

Subsequently, John tied the knot with Paulette Dean, welcoming a child in 1995, but their divorce was finalized four years later. In 2001, he married Sherrie Miller, and they had a child together two years after the wedding. A significant altercation took place in 2007 at a Tennessee restaurant, where John claimed that Miller attacked him with a steak knife.

Authorities responded to the domestic dispute; however, Sherrie had already left with their son. After locating Daly’s wife, she pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and received a five-month prison sentence. John eventually gained custody of their child, and Sherrie faced further jail time for interfering with John’s visitation rights along with other charges.

Business Ventures

Daly has partnered with Loudmouth Golf for an endorsement deal and in 2014, he signed another agreement with Rock Bottom Golf, a discount golf retailer. His business activities include a once-operational wine label named John Daly Wines and JD Designs, a golf course design firm that has created courses in California, Ireland, Canada, Missouri, and Arkansas. His virtual appearances include “Prostroke Golf” and he was among the first two real individuals featured in the “Everybody’s Golf” series. Moreover, Daly’s character is also incorporated in the well-known arcade golf game “Golden Tee.”

Music

Interestingly, John has maintained a presence in the music scene throughout his career. In 2007, he provided vocals for Kid Rock’s track “Half Your Age.” Over the years, he has released several albums, one of which is “I Only Know One Way,” launched in 2010 and featuring collaborations with artists like Darius Rucker. His debut album “My Life” showcased performances from notable musicians including Willie Nelson and Johnny Lee. The album “Whiskey & Water” was released in March 2022.

Substance Abuse Issues

In a bold statement in 1994, Daly alleged that numerous players on the PGA Tour were cocaine users, declaring that he would rank among the “cleanest” should drug testing be implemented. Despite these assertions, he has encountered issues with substance abuse previously. In 2008, his swing coach left him due to frustrations over John’s drinking habits. That same year, he was discovered intoxicated outside a Hooters restaurant, and although he avoided arrest or charges, his mugshot was made public, resulting in a media sensation.

This event prompted Daly to reform his lifestyle and quit drinking, leading to a significant upswing in his golf performance. During a 2014 interview, John…

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He acknowledged that the source of his drinking problem mainly stemmed from memories of his alcoholic and abusive father.

Health Issues

Over the years, John Daly has faced multiple health challenges. In 2009, he had lap-band surgery to restrict his food intake, leading to a weight loss of 100 pounds. Prior to that, he struggled with obesity and several related health concerns. In 2019, a near-fatal incident occurred when Daly was bitten by a brown recluse spider, resulting in sepsis; however, after emergency surgery, he recovered.

In 2002, John Daly disclosed his diagnosis of bladder cancer. He also shared that he had been fighting the disease for quite a while before undergoing surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Though the surgery was deemed successful, doctors cautioned him about an 85% chance of resurgence. To decrease this risk, Daly announced his intention to quit smoking and to eliminate Diet Coke from his diet.

Legal Issues

In 2005, John Daly brought a libel lawsuit against the “Florida Times-Union,” prompted by a columnist’s description of him as a “scoundrel.” However, in 2009, a judge dismissed Daly’s case due to his failure to prove the columnist’s statements were false. Consequently, John ended up paying over $300,000 in legal fees to the newspaper.