Daly's defence

Last updated: 3rd May 2008

John Daly

Daly: says he doesn't drink on Tour

John Daly spoke to Golf Night about his acrimonious split with top coach Butch Harmon.

After Daly failed to get a Tour card for 2008 it was perhaps no surprise that Harmon decided to part company with him, but the renowned coach blamed more than just poor form for the decision.

Harmon claims Daly "dumped himself" by refusing to live up to the standards of behaviour that he demanded and he also said he needed help with his alcohol problems.

But Daly insists Harmon was too hasty and failed to get his facts right before making his decision.

He told Golf Night: "Butch Harmon knows he messed up a little bit. He felt bad, he felt sorry, I've lost a lot of deals because of that.

"No matter what I do, even if I'm doing something for a charity, I'm getting ripped for that. But the people around me know what I'm doing.

"The drinking thing is ridiculous. I don't drink on Tour, I haven't been drinking on Tour since I don't know when.

"I'll drink at home with the boys. I'll go out with the guys I play golf with and take a cooler - whoopee-do, I'm at home!

I"t's been ridiculous. If I was playing good golf they'd be writing good things about the charity work I've been doing, but since I'm playing bad they just want to start anything they possibly can.

"I spoke to Butch last week and told him he had to do something because what he said was wrong.

"I just wish he would have called me and got the facts straight before he assumed things."