A sentimental walk for 1995 Open Champion John Daly, with his son, around the Old Course

It was a wide range of emotions as John Daly strolled up St. Andrew’s 18th fairway and over the centuries old Swilcan Bridge, sharing a special moment with his son and caddie John Jr., some 27 years after the flamboyant golfer hoisted the Claret Jug as 1995 Open champion.

“I got my son – it’s the greatest,” Daly said, when asked the importance of a caddy at St. Andrews, before teeing it up this week at the 150th Open. “To have him on the bag is just so special. You don’t know how many more times I’m going to get him out here.

“I wish they’d give my spot to him, let him play and I’ll hire him a caddie,” said Daly, who has an exemption for the Open, based upon his 1995 victory, in effect until the age of 60.

However, Friday was bittersweet for the 56-year-old former champion, as the realization sunk in this would most likely be his last journey around the venerable Old Course, and its 112 daunting bunkers, at the world’s oldest golf tournament, which dates to 1860. Tiger Woods experienced similar feelings earlier on Friday,

Daly began his second round with a 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole and then topped that by sinking a 25-yard eagle on number five to quickly get the ball rolling, but he eventually bogeyed the final three holes for a 74, leaving him three over par (+3), after two days and three strokes short of making the weekend cut.

Daly, who was grouped with another larger than life golf personality, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Tringale, appeared too upset, by the unfortunate change of play on the closing three par-fours, the infamous 17th “Road Hole” and 18, with its passionate fans in a theater like setting, finishing in the town of St. Andrews, to speak with journalists after his round.

The polarizing golfing personality was urged on by adoring fans in the gallery shouting “Let’s Go Big John” and “C’mon Razorbacks,” alluding to the nickname of his alma mater, the University of Arkansas. Daly now sports a long, white beard that would make Santa Claus jealous and wore bright orange pants adorned with Hooters restaurant logos, a shared sponsorship with the risqué U.S. restaurant chain between he and his son, a fast-rising golf talent. Daly Jr. just completed his freshman season at Arkansas, following in his father’s golf shoes.

Victory at the 1995 Open Championship

Some 27 years ago, Daly hoisted the coveted Claret Jug at the Home of Golf, his second major tournament victory, four years after bursting onto the scene as an unknown, winning the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana.

The 124th Open Championship in July 1995 was dramatic and down to the wire as Daly and Italian Costantino Rocca battled for the title in a four-hole playoff.

With his powerful swing and a soft touch while lag putting on St. Andrew’s enormous greens, Daly’s game was suited to the Old Course.

Daly, then 29, found himself tied for the lead after each of the first two days, but then faltered on Saturday posting a 73, relinquishing the lead and trailing Rocca by two and Michael Campbell of New Zealand by four entering Sunday’s final round.

Excelling in the windy conditions, Daly closed with a 71 to finish one ahead of Campbell, Mark Brooks and English journeyman Stephen Bottomley, who carded the day’s best score with a 69.

But the real drama came from Rocca, who needed to birdie the 18th, aptly named Tom Morris, after the St. Andrews golf legend, to equal Daly. When he flubbed his pitch shot into the Valley of Sin, it appeared that victory belonged to Daly.

Using a putter from 65 feet, Rocca knocked his ball up the steep slope and miraculously into the hole forcing the playoff. The Italian sank to his knees and slammed the ground with his fists in sheer jubilation.

Rocca was spent even before the four-hole playoff and Daly, ultimately won by five strokes after Rocca took three futile attempts to get out of the Road Hole Bunker on 17.

It was an anti-climax of a finish but it allowed the popular Daly to receive a heart-felt ovation at the last. “The names that are on here – it’s unbelievable to be a part of it,” Daly said, gazing at the Claret Jug, joining the likes of Bobby Jones, Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros.

In achieving the unlikely victory, Daly, nicknamed “Wild Thing” looked more like a bowler than a professional golfer, with his straggly blond hair in an 80′s mullet style. He wore a green Reebok pullover on the memorable, windy Sunday.

Many years later, the big hitter was asked about his favorite career moment, his life in pro golf filled with high and lows, alcohol and gambling problems, and also 19 pro victories scattered across the globe. “Well for me, it was the British Open,” Daly said. “And now I have to say the Open because that’s what they want you to say but British Open in 95, to see if I could do it again to win another major.”

Perhaps someday, John II will have similar opportunities on golf’s grandest stage, the cathedral of golf, nestled on the scenic Scottish coast.

In December, JD and son teamed to win the father and son PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida.

“Just playing golf with my son every day when I can is just awesome,” Daly said. “To watch him grow up to do the things he could do with a golf ball and a swing that’s so perfect.”

John II certainly relished two rewarding, challenging and memorable days here in St. Andrews, accompanied by his Dad, someone who knows about winning major championships, especially in Scotland.

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