John Daly - - - -X- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Tiger Woods

I could make a whole series of posts on what I think is wrong about golf, but for now I'll just focus on this - it needs more John Daly-like people, and less Tiger Woods. And lest I be misunderstood, let me clarify that I don't think Tiger Woods is bad for the PGA or golfers, as the exact opposite is true.

While he's gotten much better in recent years, most common people couldn't relate to Tiger. So few people in this world come from his family's money, achieve his level of success, have his mental toughness (while he's on the course, at least...no idea about how mentally tough he is elsewhere), or anything like that. And I'm pretty sure he's a double-minority to boot, so you know he's encountered some racial bias in the South (if not elsewhere). John Daly, on the other hand, is closer to the common man. The common man isn't addicted to alcohol and nicotine, mind you, nor has the common man been married and divorced as many times as him. He's shown so little focus on his game it's basically mockable. If there's such a thing in golf, Daly is the representation of the common, mainstream sports fan in America.

Both have won multiple majors. Both have had their day in the sun. Both have devoted fans. Both have attributes that are good for the game. But here's where the big difference comes in - in the most common man-friendly tournament on the tour - the Phoenix Open - you won't see Tiger Woods. It also just so happens to be one of the most attended golf tournaments - if not THE most attended golf tournametn - that's not a major championship. It could be because of the AZ weather in February. It could be because of the snowbirds. It could be because AZ is known as a major golf state. Or it could be because there's a huge potential fanbase out there that just wants to have a little beer and a ciggy with their golf instead of a polo shirt and slacks in the sun. Relaxed. Accessible. A familiar, comfortable experience.

Tiger isn't really any of these on a wide-scale basis. Daly is. Screw your Buicks and your Gillette's. I want to see someone sponsored by MGD and Dodge/Ford/Chevy.