John Daly Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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

With a net worth of $2 million, John Daly is an American professional golfer. His financial situation could have been significantly better, as he has, by his own admission, lost tens of millions over the years—largely due to a severe gambling issue coupled with multiple divorces. Additional details regarding his gambling losses will follow in the next section.

Turning professional in 1987, Daly secured his first major title at the PGA Championship in 1991. His second major victory came in 1995 at the Open Championship. Over his career, he has achieved five wins on the PGA Tour and three titles on the European Tour. However, despite showcasing immense talent, John has faced personal challenges, which include struggles with alcohol and gambling addictions. These problems have frequently overshadowed his golf successes, creating a chaotic career trajectory. Notably, Daly is known for his unconventional appearance, often seen in bold clothing with long hair, along with his aggressive playing style and remarkable long drives, earning him the nickname “Long John.”

Gambling Losses

In his 2006 autobiography, John Daly disclosed his past struggles with a gambling addiction, which has significantly depleted his net worth. He reports having lost more than $55 million throughout his life. While he initially lost $90 million, he managed to recover about $35 million, which brings his total net loss to roughly $55 million.

He recounted a specific instance in October 2005, where he lost $1.5 million while playing slots in Las Vegas.

Early Life

Born John Patrick Daly on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California, he grew up in a middle-class family that moved frequently across various southern states. It was when the family finally settled in Arkansas that he began playing golf. Drawing inspiration from Jack Nicklaus, Daly dedicated himself to golf, achieving several championships as a teenager.

Career

In 1987, John Daly turned professional and clinched his first victory at the Missouri Open that same year. He followed this up by winning the Ben Hogan Utah Classic in 1990. Daly made headlines in 1991 when he won his inaugural PGA Championship, shocking the golf community as an underdog. His solid performance continued into 1992, and by 1993, he secured third place in the Masters Tournament. However, a suspension in 1994 for leaving a tournament mid-round led him to enter rehab for alcohol dependency.

John captured the Open Championship in 1995, but the following five years were riddled with personal challenges that hindered his performance. By 2001, he experienced a resurgence with a win at the BMW International Open, laying the foundation for more victories in the years that followed, culminating in a triumphant return at the Buick Invitational in 2004. Following a disappointing 2005, Daly faced a further decline over the next nine years.

Due to his non-exempt status, he relied on sponsorships and special event invitations, despite accumulating millions in earnings throughout his golfing career. In 2016, he gained eligibility to participate in the PGA Tour Champions. He began to achieve victories once again after many years. Daly remained active in the Champions Tour until October 2022 when he underwent significant knee surgery and rehabilitation but expressed his intention to return to the sport.

Relationships

John’s first marriage was to Dale Crafton in 1987, but they divorced three years later. In 1992, he tied the knot with Bettye Fulford, and they welcomed one child during their union. That year, Daly faced charges for third-degree assault after incident wherein he threw his wife against a wall. However, Bettye opted not to take legal action, and specifics surrounding the event remain undisclosed. Ultimately, they divorced in 1995.

Following that, John married Paulette Dean, welcoming a child in 1995. Their divorce was finalized four years after. He then married his fourth wife, Sherrie Miller, in 2001, and together they had a child two years later. In an altercation at a Tennessee restaurant in 2007, John claimed that Miller assaulted him with a steak knife.

Authorities were summoned to their residence, but Sherrie had already left with their young son. Once located, she pleaded guilty to federal drug charges, receiving a five-month prison sentence. John was eventually granted custody of their child, while Sherrie was incarcerated again for disrupting John’s visitation rights and additional offenses.

Business Ventures

Daly has partnered with Loudmouth Golf for an endorsement deal, a clothing line. In 2014, he entered another agreement with Rock Bottom Golf, a discount golf retailer. Other business ventures included a wine brand named John Daly Wines (which later ceased operations) and a golf course design firm known as JD Designs. Thus far, JD Designs has worked on courses in California, Ireland, Canada, Missouri, and Arkansas. Furthermore, Daly participated in the video game “Prostroke Golf” and was among the first real people to feature in the “Everybody’s Golf” series. His character also appears in the popular arcade golf game “Golden Tee.”

Music

Somewhat unexpectedly, John has been significantly involved in the music scene over the years. He lent his vocals to Kid Rock’s song “Half Your Age” in 2007. Throughout the years, he has released multiple albums, including “I Only Know One Way,” which hit the shelves in 2010. This album features collaborations with artists like Darius Rucker. His initial album, “My Life,” included guest appearances by Willie Nelson and Johnny Lee. In March 2022, he dropped his album, “Whiskey & Water.”

Substance Abuse Issues

In 1994, Daly famously asserted that many players on the PGA Tour were using cocaine and claimed he would be one of the “cleanest” players if drug testing were to be widely implemented. Despite these bold statements, Daly has faced struggles with substance abuse in his life. In 2008, his swing coach left him out of frustration regarding Daly’s drinking habits. That year, he was discovered intoxicated outside a Hooters restaurant. Although he was not arrested or charged, his mugshot was released, leading to significant media coverage.

This incident prompted Daly to “shape up” and give up alcohol, resulting in a remarkable improvement in his golfing performance. In an interview in 2014, John…
“`admitted that memories of his abusive father, an alcoholic, were a primary factor in his drinking problem.

Health Issues

For several years, John Daly has faced numerous health challenges. In 2009, he underwent lap-band surgery which restricted his food intake, leading to a weight loss of 100 pounds. Prior to this, he had been obese and was experiencing various health complications as a result. In 2019, he nearly lost his life due to a brown recluse spider bite. After developing sepsis, emergency surgery was performed, and he managed to survive.

In 2002, John Daly disclosed his diagnosis of bladder cancer. He acknowledged that he had been fighting the illness for an extended time and had undergone surgery to remove the cancer. Although the operation was successful, doctors warned him of an 85% chance of relapse. To reduce this risk, Daly declared his intentions to quit smoking and stop consuming Diet Coke.

Legal Issues

In 2005, John Daly filed a libel lawsuit against the “Florida Times-Union” in response to a columnist labeling him a “scoundrel.” Unfortunately, a judge dismissed Daly’s case in 2009 after determining that he could not substantiate that the columnist’s claims were false. Consequently, John ended up having to pay over $300,000 in legal fees to the newspaper.