GREENSBORO -- There's still ample time for him to change his mind -- something he's been known to do in recent years -- but for now, Wyndham Championship officials are thrilled with their latest acquisition: two-time major winner and fan favorite John Daly.
Tournament director Mark Brazil said Monday that Daly agreed to play in next month's Wyndham at Sedgefield Country Club. And while most fans wouldn't get excited about the world's 665th-ranked golfer coming to town, most golfers ranked that low aren't like Daly.
He hasn't won a golf tournament since 2004. Without a PGA Tour card, he plays in tournaments these days only by the graces of a sponsor's exemption -- which is what Brazil extended to Daly this week. And his personal struggles with alcohol, money and gambling are well documented.
But you can't put a value on what he brings to a golf tournament.
On second thought, you can.
"He still sells tickets," said Brazil. "He's still one of the top seven most popular players on the tour these days so we're thrilled to have him. He's a great addition to what's already a pretty good field."
Indeed, it's been a banner month for the Wyndham and area golf fans already excited about the tournament's return to Sedgefield after 31 years at Forest Oaks.
First came word that two-time Greensboro winners Rocco Mediate and Davis Love III would be at Sedgefield. Then Vijay Singh, the world's 15th-ranked golfer, signed on to play. Now Daly.
Two years ago, when Daly last played in Greensboro, he easily drew the biggest crowds of any golfer in the field before missing the cut. The same was true in 2005 when Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott were in the field.
"Not many guys move the needle like John," said Brazil. "He'll easily be one of -- if not the most -- popular golfer out there next month."
Brazil acknowledged Daly comes with some baggage. Daly has played in 13 events this year, making it to the weekend only three times. He was disqualified from the Arnold Palmer invitational at Bay Hill this spring for missing his pro-am tee time. And he has a penchant for withdrawing from tournaments -- twice this year and 13 times dating to last season.
Other tournament directors have taken a pass on extending Daly an invitation. Brazil said he wanted to give Daly a chance.
"It sounds to me like John's working on his game," he said. "I think he's working on getting his life back together, too."
The thoughts of Daly, still one of golf's longest drivers, playing Sedgefield's 7,190-yard layout -- one of the shortest courses on the tour -- should make for an interesting week of golf.
"Sedgefield is not a course you can pull a driver out on every hole," Brazil said. "But when the opportunity presents itself, and there are a few holes out there that do, it will be interesting to watch John at work."
Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com
What: Greensboro's professional golf tournament
When: Aug. 14-17
Where: Sedgefield Country Club
Tickets: www.wyndhamchampionship.com or 379-1570
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