Callaway Drops Daly as Spokesman

John Daly walked out of alcohol rehabilitation two years ago and found a “father figure” in Ely Callaway, who offered Daly a second chance as long as he stayed away from the addictions that sabotaged his talented but troubled career.

Callaway severed his relationship with Daly on Wednesday, saying the former PGA and British Open champion reneged on his deal not to drink or gamble, and then turned down an offer for help.

“We care a great deal about John as a person, a golfer and a friend,” the 80-year-old chairman of Callaway Golf said. “Regrettably, we cannot continue to have John as a company representative when he is not prepared to take the future steps that we feel are necessary to deal with the alcohol and gambling problems facing him.”

Callaway declined to say when or where Daly started drinking again, only that it was confirmed by company employees.

Daly was returning from Callaway headquarters in Carlsbad to his home in Arkansas and couldn’t be reached for comment. His agent, John Mascatello, referred questions to a statement posted on Daly’s Web site.

“My commitment to live a sober life remains strong,” Daly said. “Alcoholism is a disease which will continue to challenge me the rest of my life. I accept the difficulties presented and hope that I will overcome whatever obstacles I face.”

So takes another sad turn in the career of Daly, one of golf’s most exciting and volatile personalities since he came out of nowhere to win the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in 1991, thrilling galleries with his “Grip It and Rip It” style that make him the longest hitter in the game.

But for every 350-yard drive, there were incidents. Daly trashed hotel rooms in a drunken rage, tanked rounds in tournaments in which he received appearance money, or was forced to write outrageous scores on his card.