Growing Up Daly: Life in the Shadow of Golf’s Wild Legend
Imagine being the son of one of golf’s most iconic—and controversial—figures. That’s John Daly II’s reality. He’s not just any young golfer trying to build a name for himself; he’s the son of John Daly, the man known as much for his booming drives and two major titles as for his off-course headlines—drinking, gambling, suspensions, and all. While the nickname “golf’s bad boy” stuck with his father, Daly II is carving out his path with a quieter, more focused energy.
Recently, in an interview with SiriusXM, John Daly II opened up about what it’s like growing up under that larger-than-life shadow. And surprisingly, it’s not as heavy as you might think. To him, his dad is just dad . “People in the golf world know who my dad is,” he said. “But I’ve always seen him just as my father—we mess around, have fun.” That grounded perspective seems to have kept him from feeling crushed by expectations. Even when fans and media pile pressure onto kids like Charlie Woods, Tiger Woods’ son, Daly II gets it. He’s lived it. But he keeps it simple: his father’s fame doesn’t define him.
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And to his credit, he’s not trying to replicate his dad’s off-course lifestyle either. Daly II once revealed his father’s best advice was to “do the opposite” of what he did—and it stuck. He’s focused, disciplined, and serious about his game. In fact, just this year, he’s already made headlines for his own reasons. In March, he took his first collegiate win at the Columbia Spring Invitational. And just recently, he clinched a major amateur title at the 2025 Southern Amateur Championship, dominating the field with a five-shot victory and a final-round 68.
John Daly Sr. couldn’t have been prouder. He posted on social media with a beaming “One Proud Daddy!!!” message, celebrating his son’s rise on golf’s amateur circuit. The elder Daly might have made headlines with wild stories, but now he’s cheering from the sidelines as his son builds a cleaner, steadier legacy.
At just 21 and a senior at the University of Arkansas, Daly II is proving he’s not just riding his dad’s coattails. From outdriving his dad as a teenager to now stacking wins, he’s showing that while the Daly name might open doors, it’s his own swing, mindset, and passion that will carry him through.
It’s early, but all signs suggest that John Daly II isn’t just following in his dad’s footsteps—he’s walking his own fairway.
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