Hi Guys:

You may have missed this during “Tiger Slam” but this news which was rather more inconspicuous than Tiger’s, was surfacing a few weeks ago from “down under” in Australia there.

In December when Australia has its majors, an American pro golfer quietly tied up it named John Daley. Yes, the real Daley who stayed long enough to play a couple of the majors there and finished ninth in one of them. Many of the Aussie fans weren’t sure if it was him at first. But it was the real John Daley, minus about 100 lbs of him.

Daley not only has slimmed down 100 pounds or so and looks even better than when he ventured on and won the PGA in the early 1990s but is back with an intensity and desire to make his golf game here heading into 2010, his comeback year and “the year OF THE DALEY”.

With Tiger Woods probably not retuning till June for the US Open or later or not at all this year, John could have a break out year here and move to the top of the leader boards. Who knows he might even contend and win another major at the British or PGA Championship this summer.

I remember what Tiger said had said about big John Daley. He’s got more talent than anyone golfer I know. Well maybe that talent will find its way again.  Golf sure needs a star to return or step up to the plate this year with a certain person missing in action on an indefinite leave from the game.

I have to tell you I saw John hit what I would say was one of the most memorable and magically crafted shot I have ever seen at a golf tournament. This was at Riviera CC in the LA Open several years ago and it was on the par three fourth or fifth hole there, where he hit the green with a long iron and was stymied by a sand trap that was imbedded or situated in the green there.

A very unique and rather famous hole on Los Angeles golf history. Instead of putting Daley took a sand or lob wedge and “flipped it like a flap-jack” with his wedge straight up and down next to the hole from about 45 feet away. It was sort of magically and definitely ALL FEEL! I’ll never forget the image and this shot. One of the best I’ve ever seen.

John probably figures that with all the media attention on ‘Tiger Slam’ and where’s Tiger these days that he could move more quietly around at golf courses and make a statement with his better play and cash more in where he’s been missing. You have to recall some here that he was suspended by the PGA Tour for his behavior last year  “as golf’s bad boy” and sat out six months or so. of that suspension. from the commissioner.

Daley I would think feels a sense of relief in a way that he’s not the singled-out player in the dog house and with all the media trying to figure out Tiger’s next move, a remunerated Daley is on the move and lookout here. You got to also like the new outfit with the pants. Right?

So let’s watch and see what a new waistline, girlfriend and attitude can do for John Daley. If it will have him hitting stronger or will it be too much of a change like when Craig Stadler dropped 50 pounds. He later said phooey and went back up in weight. It changed his swing tempo according to him too much. Maybe it was the wine and deserts were too much to give up as well. Who knows.

Anyway this could be an interesting year here in 2010 with anything goes and let’s place the casting call at: calling all new faces, young guns and old and let’s get it on in the new year. There’s events and lots of cash to win and fund raisers to help with a good cause.

Let’s see what happens here.

Bob Cisco - The Golf Doctor.  www.allaboutgolf.us