Daly obtains restraining order
John Daly, playing in the St. Jude Classic in his return to the PGA Tour after a six-month suspension, has obtained a restraining order against his estranged wife, Sherrie, who lives at the golf course where the tournament is being played.
The order, obtained Wednesday, was previously agreed to by both sides, eliminating the need for an evidentiary hearing, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Sherrie Daly lives at TPC Southwind, where the St. Jude Classic opened Thursday. Her attorney, Randy Fishman, said she has agreed not to visit the golf course if Daly is still playing. "We hope he makes the cut," Fishman said, according to the report. "She's not pulling against him. She's pulling for him."
If John Daly does not make the cut, the order will be vacated.
"If he's not in the hunt for the million-dollar purse, then he's just a spectator like everyone else,' Circuit Court Judge Jerry Stokes said, according to the report.
Sherrie Daly filed for divorce from John Daly two years ago.
Daly is back because of a sponsor's exemption and looking trimmer than in his last PGA start, thanks to lap-band surgery that has helped him lose 61 pounds. He has added a sponsor, is working on his game and seems to understand that he's running out of time to see how good he might be with the Champions Tour looming in the 43-year-old's future.
"Golf is my life. I mean it's the only thing I've been able to do to provide for my family, for myself. I just want to be more serious about it. I want to prepare myself more. I don't think it's a last chance. I think I'm giving myself a chance to be the best player that I can be, and to me, that's all that matters," he said.
Memphis has been home to Daly for about 20 years, so he remains a big draw here. His fellow golfers are happy to have him back and eager to see what he can do.
Tim Herron, one of the first people who called Daly after news of his suspension, is paired with him. Herron also talked briefly with Daly on the putting green here Tuesday.
"People still love him, fans especially. People are still talking about John, which is good. So he's still good for the Tour, good for the community," Herron said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
