John Daly will make his PGA Tour Champions debut tomorrow at the Insperity Invitational near Houston, and his arrival on the senior circuit is "one of the most heralded in years," according to Adam Schupak of GOLFWEEK. Daly "needs the PGA Tour Champions as much as it needs him," and the hope is he will "spur fans to show up in droves and tune in like they did for megawatt stars" like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The PGA Tour Champions' "no-cut, low pressure affairs should be a perfect fit for Daly." But to "really move the needle, he'll have to do more than just show up in his outlandish Loudmouth outfits and chain-smoke Marlboros" (GOLFWEEK.com, 5/3). The AP's Doug Ferguson noted Insperity Invitational tournament officials are "expecting attendance to double" this week. Tour President Greg McLaughlin said, "There's a lot of anticipation, a lot of excitement" (AP, 5/3).
DRIVE FOR SHOW: ESPN.com in a roundtable discussed Daly's potential. Jonathan Coachman said Daly is going to "become a huge draw" and is "just what the tour needed." ESPN's Matt Barrie added Daly will "give those tournaments more attention because of his name, story and antics" (ESPN.com, 5/2). Golf Channel's Tim Rosaforte said, "Even a couple years ago when Tiger was at his height, the people who judge these things say the only other people that moved the needle were John Daly and Fred Couples, and that has not changed" ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 5/4). ESPN.com's Bob Harig noted the PGA Tour Champions "could use the boost Daly will bring, as many of the game's stars have bypassed the circuit or played limited schedules when eligible" (ESPN.com, 5/2). Golf Channel's Brian Bateman said Daly joining is a "huge shot in the arm" for the tour, as he is "somebody who's going to be colorful (and) he has a massive fan following" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 5/4). GOLFCHANNEL.com's Ryan Lavner wrote the Tour Daly the "ultimate mulligan" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 5/3). But in S.F., Ron Kroichick writes to "not get carried away and suggest" Daly could "help the Champions Tour by theatrically tossing his golf club in the nearest lake, in a trademark fit of anger." However, this "counts as a notable moment for the tour, which needs to create any buzz it can." Kroichick: "Who knows exactly what kind of splash it will be? This might be worth watching" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/5).
