Trump’s Golf BFF Melts Down After Worst Hole Ever

Key Takeaways:

• John Daly set a new personal worst with 19 strokes on a par-5.
• He surpassed his previous 18-stroke record from 1998.
• The golfer is known for his friendship with Donald Trump and calls him “Daddy Trump.”
• Daly once claimed a habit of smoking two to three packs of cigarettes and drinking 15 cans of Diet Coke daily.
• He finished the round 24 strokes behind the leader, Ángel Cabrera.

A Historic Misfire

John Daly, 59, stunned onlookers at the Champions Tour in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, by posting 19 strokes on a par-5 hole in the first round. The meltdown began when Daly, known for his booming drives and colorful presence on the golf circuit, struggled to clear a long creek and landed in out-of-bounds territory multiple times.

Beating His Own Record

Before this round, Daly’s worst single-hole tally was 18 strokes, recorded at the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational. He also had a remarkable 14-stroke mishap at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. This new 19-stroke performance sets the bar even higher—or lower, depending on perspective—as the most strokes he has ever taken on one hole.

A Friend of ‘Daddy Trump’

In a March interview, Daly affectionately referred to President Donald Trump as “Daddy Trump.” The golfer’s personal life and high-profile friendships have often drawn as much attention as his sports achievements. His camaraderie with the former president remains a noteworthy facet of his public image.

Lifestyle and Performance

Daly’s flamboyant reputation is bolstered by his claim of consuming between two and three packs of cigarettes and 15 cans of Diet Coke every day. Despite such habits, he has maintained a presence in the professional golfing world for decades. However, on this particular day, it all appeared to catch up with him as he closed out the round 24 strokes behind first-place contender Ángel Cabrera.

Looking Ahead

While Ángel Cabrera led the field at the end of the first day, Daly’s 19-stroke anomaly drew most of the headlines. It remains to be seen whether Daly can rebound in subsequent rounds—or whether this extraordinary moment in his storied, sometimes tumultuous career may serve as another memorable milestone.