Daly takes 'European' route to Augusta

13 April 2012

John Daly, the 1995 Open champion, arrived in Australia today as a new member of the European Tour.

Despite feeling "petrified" about flying after last September's terrorist attacks in the United States, Daly has decided to increase his overseas travel.

With this week's Heineken Classic in Melbourne counting towards the European order of merit, the 35-year-old American sees this as his best way to retain a place in the world's top 50.

"It's not only a good move on my part but also good for golf and, hopefully, good for the European tour," he said.

Daly ended five years without a win when he captured the BMW International Open in Munich last September, a victory which helped him climb to 47th in the rankings.

"For the first time everything in my life is the way I want it," said Daly, who last year married for the fourth time.

As well as defending his BMW title, Daly's plans European appearances in the Benson and Hedges at The Belfry in May, the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond in July and The Open at Muirfield.

His first aim, though, is to win a place in the US Masters in April. Daly's five-year exemption to Augusta ran out last year and he needs to stay in the world's top 50 for another month to earn himself a return.

A good performance this week could secure that and he said: "I've been told that Royal Melbourne should be right up my alley if I'm driving it straight."

Daly's past is as well known for his drinking and gambling addictions as for his Open and US PGA triumphs.

On his last trip to Melbourne, six years ago, he was reported to have won around £100,000 at blackjack, only to lose it all and a lot more besides.His last appearance in the Heineken Classic resulted in a stinging rebuke from the tournament promoter after he shot a third-round 83 and dashed round the course the following day.

Meanwhile, Greg Norman's competitive juices are flowing again, even though he plans to play no more than 15 tournaments in 2002.

The 46-year-old Australian has has received a special invitation to play in the US Masters.

Norman, who joins Daly in the Heineken Classic line-up on Thursday, lost his US Tour membership last season because he did not play in enough events and he thought he might have made his last appearance at Augusta.

"The invitation came out of the blue," he said. "It completely threw me and I've changed my schedule because of it.

"I'm allowed to play only five regular US Tour events, plus the majors and the NEC world championship, but now I'm going to use up most of them to get ready for Augusta."

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