Golf icon, two-time Major winner John Daly to play at Regions Tradition in Alabama

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March 2, 2016

John Daly at The Heritage Pro-Am in Hilton Head, SC. (Photo: Keith Allison)

Five-time PGA Tour winner John Daly will appear in the Regions Tradition at the Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham this May.

“We are delighted that John will be competing on PGA Tour Champions this year and in the field at the Regions Tradition,” said PGA Tour Champions President Greg McLaughlin in a press release. “As one of the most recognizable names in the game, he is an exciting addition for the tournament and golf fans in the greater Birmingham area.”

Daly, who earned the nickname “Long John” because of his long drives off the tee, has won a number of titles and other awards throughout his career. His first PGA Tour win was in his 1991 breakthrough season. That same year, the PGA named him “Rookie of the Year.” Daly has won four other PGA titles since then, and his win at the 2004 Buick Invitational earned him the “Comeback Player of the Year” award.

This year will mark Daly’s first appearance in the PGA Champions Tour, which is an elite organization of the most accomplished golfers over the age of 50. Daly turns 50 on April 28, so he is wasting no time in making his Champions debut. He will first appear in the Insperity Invitational in Texas before coming to the Regions Tradition in Birmingham.

Daly has had a vibrant career outside of golf as well. He has recorded and released two albums, featuring guest performances by artists such as Darius Rucker and Willie Nelson. He has also been involved in a number of charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Daly’s attendance at the Regions Tradition strengthens the high caliber of golf legends that will be attending. Other World Golf Hall of Fame members that will come to Birmingham to play include Hale Irwin, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Alabama native Larry Nelson and more.

As for Daly, he couldn’t be more excited.

“Hopefully I don’t embarrass myself out there,” he said. “I’ll be fresh, but I don’t know how great my golf game will be. I can sit here and hit all the balls and chip and putt all day long, but if you’re not playing competitive golf … there’s nothing better than competitive golf. You go week to week to week and you seem to get better as it goes. I’m coming in fresh. I don’t really have any expectations, just to go play and try and do the best I can.”