Mark Roe applauds John Daly for changes that could take him back to the top - including the trousers!
Good to see double major champion in Europe, says Roe
There were signs in Italy that some of the old John Daly magic has returned.
I've played with him over the years and I've seen him play some of the most magical shots. One year at the BMW International I watched in total admiration as he made a round of 65, seven-under-par, look as easy as anything.
He's currently the longest player on the European Tour and when he's swinging the club well he has an unbelievable ability to control that length of swing with a sublime rhythm that also gives him the most wonderful feel and touch.
He finished joint-second in Italy leaving a lot of shots still on the golf course and on that evidence he's not a million miles away from being back to his rock-solid best.
I'm a massive John Daly fan. I love watching him and when he's on top of his game he's one of the most exciting golfers in the world. I've also been around him and I know how popular he is among his fellow professionals and spectators alike.
I know a lot of people won't approve of the way he lives his life. He's had a volatile and tempestuous lifestyle up until now - but perhaps that's what makes him endearing to the man in the street.
Of course I don't approve of incidents such as the time he smashed a spectator's camera in Australia and his life has clearly run out of control at times. He does not conduct himself like a role model away from the golf course, but that's John Daly; a human being.
I just hope he can find peace and harmony in his life because that will allow us to see him enjoying a few more good years on the golf course.
Changes
Right now I'm not too worried about him self-destructing again because he has made changes to his lifestyle. The fact he's had a gastric band fitted shows he has realised that things weren't heading in the right direction and he has taken positive action.
It would have been easy to disappear into oblivion, so you've got to take your hat off to him for showing the desire to get himself back into reasonable shape.
The desire still seems to be there and who knows? We could see him back in contention for championships - and maybe even a major.
When he's on top, there is nothing he can't achieve. This is a guy who waltzed to the USPGA Championship after driving through the night to get to Crooked Stick and also destroyed the field at St Andrews to win the Open Championship.
I still believe he can be as good as anybody in the world. He's a long way from that, but there were some glimpses of some sublime iron play in Italy and moments of world-class golf.
Privilege
He is now playing at the Irish Open, the PGA Championship and the European Open and if he's suddenly running into form it will be a great privilege for us to have him on the European Tour.
He's been banned in America, but I do not go along with the argument that we shouldn't allow him to play over here.
He has never displayed any disregard or lack of respect for the European Tour. He has always come here with a hugely positive attitude and has often spoken about how much he enjoys playing here.
He once told me how he loved it over here and wishes he could play in Europe full-time. He's a person's person and he likes the camaraderie and spirit that exists on our Tour. Those comments suggest it doesn't exist on the American Tour.
I also like the bright new image and the trouser challenge that seems to have been laid down to Ian Poulter.
Poulter's are a little more stylish (Daly seems to have made his out of the curtains that they couldn't sell in his local fabric shop), but I'm all for colour in the game - and John is certainly the epitome of colour!
Just don't ask me to buy any of them myself...
Ireland
You can see those trousers in action at Baltray this week, a very different type of golf course. Obviously it's a links course and it can get very windy there, but maybe it will suit Daly.
He is a wonderful shot-maker and that could play dividends. Daly isn't afraid to hit it in low and produce pure shot-making so I don't see any reason why he can't continue this fine run of form.
I also expect to see Thomas Bjorn's resurgence continue in Ireland. He's full of confidence and more than capable of bursts of birdies and eagles.
It would also be nice to see some of the Irish lads contending. Maybe Darren Clarke will be inspired by the Irish crowds and it would be nice to see Paul McGinely in the winners' circle again after a three-year absence.
And of course you can never discount the sublime talent of Rory McIlroy, while Padraig Harrington treats this event like a major championship.
The Irish love nothing more than cheering on their own - but I'm sure a few cheers will be reserved for the colourful figure of John Daly too.
