Daly Returns to Memphis Open After PGA Suspension

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 -- John Daly’s suspension from the PGA is over, and the golfer is set to return starting with the St. Jude Championship and the qualifying round for the US Open. The suspension came when he was involved in several incidents which led to negative publicity, one of which resulted to a photo of him in an orange jail suit when he spent a night in lock-up after a drunken binge.

Despite the suspension he was able to compete overseas, tying for second at the Italian Open. Daly has not won an event in the PGA tour for five years and counting, and he knows that the mere chance of playing can be elusive if another incident that brings negative publicity occurs again.

For the past two years Daly has not been playing with his card but instead has been relying on invitations and sponsor exemptions, such as during the British Open and the PGA championship. The 43 year old is planning to play at the St. Jude championship with a sponsor’s exemption and says that he has been taking the time of the suspension to work on his game and lose a couple of pounds. The two-time major champion has had lap-band surgery which helped him lose 50 pounds in three months.