At 'special place,' Daly delights fans

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - Trading his mullet for a wacky outfit, John Daly rekindled memories of his stunning win at the Old Course in 1995.

The trouble-plagued golfer took advantage of calm conditions at St. Andrews by shooting a stunning 6-under-par 66 Thursday in the British Open.

No one made a bolder fashion statement, either.

Daly wore lavender paisley pants, a sky blue sleeveless sweater, a peach shirt and a turquoise cap. None of it matched. Not that it mattered.

Strolling the course puffing on a cigarette and carrying a diet soda, Daly posted his best British Open score since a 66 at Royal St. George in 1993. It could have been a lot better, too - four putts lipped out or caught the edge of the cup, including one that spun 180 degrees around the back of the 12th hole to end a streak of four consecutive birdies.

"I think this is the first time I've seen the media center at the British Open since 1995," Daly said at a news conference. "It's a good feeling."

Could it be '95 all over again?

That year, Daly managed to put aside the problems that have marred his career - everything from too much alcohol to too much money squandered - and captured his second major championship, beating Costantino Rocca in a playoff with a mop of blond hair that was much longer than it is now.

"It's a golf course, I don't know, I just love it. I don't know why," Daly said. "It suits my game. Just a special, special place."

For a while, he had the clubhouse lead. But it did not hold up on a surprisingly warm day with little wind off St. Andrews Bay and only a sprinkling of rain.

A number of players stripped off their jackets and played in short sleeves. At the end of the day, 21-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland had shot a 63.

Daly said St. Andrews is a special place for him, and his favorite course. He always has been a crowd-pleaser, and his support grew as the round went on. Fans yelled encouragement with each long drive and putt he made.

A huge American flag hung out the window of a house alongside the 18th hole, and two men held signs saying "John Daly Living Legend" and "John Daly for President."

"He's a role model," one of them shouted as the 44-year-old made his way to the final green.

Daly hasn't always been a role model during his career. Known as a "Wild Thing," he has battled injuries, alcohol, and weight problems, walked off courses during tournaments, and been suspended numerous times by the PGA Tour.

In recent years, he has become more recognized for the outlandish pants he wears on the course than for results. He said he has changed his lifestyle by giving up drinking and having gastric-band surgery in February 2009.

Daly said he hasn't had a drink since he had the band put in and has weighed between 190 and 195 pounds since October.

In his eyes that makes him more of a "Mild Thing" these days.

"I'm 44 years old," he said. "I've never run from my mistakes. You know, it's how you come back. For me, I'm on a comeback."