Wilson Golf announced it will not continue its
relationship with PGA Tour golfer John Daly. In a statement
released yesterday, Wilson Golf Dir of Marketing Jeff Harmet
said, "Through all of his trials and tribulations, Wilson
has always stood behind John. This was by no means an easy
decision. But after reassessing our relationship, we have
decided to bring our relationship to a close. All of us at
Wilson are pulling for John." Wilson President Jim Baugh:
"John has been a good ambassador for Wilson, but eight
months ago we embarked on a new strategy for Wilson Golf and
this move fits that strategy" (Wilson). The decision to
drop Daly comes one month after he was admitted to the Betty
Ford Center for treatment of alcohol abuse, according to Ron
Sirak of the AP. Daly had signed a $10M endorsement deal
with Wilson after he won the PGA Championship in 1991 which
reportedly earned him between $1-3M a year, "depending on
incentive clauses." Daly first entered an alcohol
rehabilitation program in '93 before checking into the Betty
Ford Center last month. Daly's agent, John Mascatello, was
not available for comment (AP/DETROIT NEWS, 4/29).