John Daly admits he has gone through the motions during some golf tournaments, or in business parlance, he has simply mailed it in.
``I want to be able to say this year that I have tried on every shot and done the best I can,'' Daly said.
The long hitter hopes that attitude, coupled with an improved work ethic, translates into a victory in 1999.
``I think I'm due,'' said Daly, whose last victory came in the 1995 British Open.
Two of Daly's six career victories have come in major championships -- the aforementioned British Open and the 1991 PGA Championship.
Since he burst on the scene by winning the PGA Championship as the ninth alternate, Daly has had his share of personal problems, from divorces (two of them) to a drinking problem. He's nearing the second anniversary of his second stretch of sobriety.
``It's not easy trying to fight so many things away from my golf game,'' Daly said. ``People give me a lot of support and remind me that it takes time to fight this, but it's a daily struggle.''
That internal battle was played out in front of the golf world in August at the Greater Vancouver Open. Daly experienced a bout of the shakes, brought on by alcohol withdrawal. He donned two sweaters in the mid-80-degree weather to fight his chills. Earlier in the month, at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn., Daly snapped a 5-iron in half, refused to sign his scorecard and was disqualified.
``I still get the shakes sometimes, whether I play good or bad,'' said Daly, who quit after nine holes of the second round of the 1997 U.S. Open because he felt the shakes coming on.
``It makes golf very difficult,'' Daly said of being an alcoholic. ``Every day I feel like there's always that chance I might reach out and grab one (a drink). It's a very scary feeling.''
During the 1998 season, a doctor put him on anti-depressants. In early January of this year, he stopped taking the medication.
``I just feel like I've got a lot more energy and work out more (when he's off the medication),'' Daly said. ``It could be a bad move on my part, but also could make a world of difference."
The lethargy that dogged Daly much of the 1998 season derailed his hopes of winning again.
He was among the hottest golfers leading up to the 1998 Masters, finishing in the top 20 in five tournaments, including ties for fourth place at the Nissan Open and Honda Classic. Those turned out to be his top finishes of the season. In the Masters, he finished tied for 33rd.
``My goal is to continue to do it throughout the whole year,'' Daly said. ``Last year I got off my practice habits. I want to stay hungry and practice through the whole year and not just, you know, 12 events.''
He spent a month in late December and early January in the Palm Beach, Calif., area, practicing under the watchful eye of instructor Bill Harmon.
``It has helped me a lot, just to practice,'' Daly said. ``I haven't done that forever. I used to just come out on tour, hit balls, you know, to get ready for the tournament week. Now I have set myself up to be ready.''
Chip shots: John Daly
Instead of flying to tournament sites, Daly purchased a large mobile home and drives to events.
Daly feels ready for a victory
