It will be a hoot

May 25 2008 By Euan Mclean

MARC WARREN has told John Daly he would love life on the European Tour after the Wild Thing admitted he's sick of taking stick from puritans on the American circuit.

Daly is considering increasing his appearances this side of the Atlantic because he feels victimised by critics who are blowing his drinking habits out of proportion.

Renowned coach Butch Harmon sensationally dumped himtwo months ago after claiming getting drunk is the most important thing in Daly's life, sparking speculation that his life was spiralling out of control.

The former Open and US PGA champion poured out his frustrations to Warren a fortnight ago during two rounds together at the Italian Open.

And the Scot told Daly he would be far better suited to the relaxed atmosphere on the European Tour.

Over here players can enjoy a beer together without being demonised which helped build the famous team spirit that drove Europe to victory in the last three Ryder Cups.

And while Warren suggested the European Tour would be a better fit for Daly he also knows one of the biggest draws in golf would be a massive shot in the arm for the Tour.

Warren said: "John is getting a rough ride of it at the moment in America.

"He told me about a couple of times he got into trouble despite having done nothing wrong - like the Harmon thing.

"John was asked by Hooters, one of his main sponsors, to attend an event during a tournament and he had six beers before leaving.

"Yet it was documented that he was wrecked and falling about the place.

"He feels that's just the way it seems to be in America with him. If he does anything normal like sitting having a couple of beers with sponsors it's blown out of all proportion. They claim he's partying and back on the benders - and I think he's getting sick of it.

"John said the US Tour is changing so much that Europe is a much happier place to be. So I told him he'd have much more fun over here.

"On a Tuesday night the guys are relaxed and will sit having a couple of beers before getting ready for the tournament on Wednesday.

"It's not as if we are taking it any easier than the Americans, we just do things differently. The camaraderie we have in Europe fits a character like Daly much better.

"John enjoyed Italy and had been hoping to play in Ireland as well last week. But he was already committed to his charity event back home.

"I would love to see him play here more because he's a great draw who brings the crowds in."

Daly is also one of the most talented golfers Warren has played beside.

And the Scot admits he was blown away by the ball-striking feats of one of the game's biggest hitters.

He said: "I first played with John at the Scandinavian Masters last year when he cracked the face of his driver because he was hitting the ball so hard.

"I'd heard of people doing that but had never seen it until I met Daly.

"There didn't seem anything wrong but there was a weird sound and the ball wasn't flying that far. I remember thinking to myself: 'He doesn't hit it as big as everybody says'.

"Then whenwe played again in Italy this month John told me he got that driver tested and sure enough the face was cracked on the inside.

"John played some of the best golf I have ever seen in Italy. He hit every shot in the book and his driving was so long and straight.

"I think he shot 67 but it could have been anything. You can see the ability and why he has won two Majors.

"I was in my teens when he was at his peak. The first Open I went to was in 1995 when John won at St Andrews so he has always been a big influence.

"One of the guys at my golf club, East Kilbride, was Daly daft and tried to smash the ball as far as he could.

"So when I played with John in Sweden I got himto sign one of his golf balls and my mate absolutely loved it when I brought it home for him.

"When I was growing up Daly was THE Cinderella story. He drove through the night to turn up at the PGA on the Thursday morning then teed up without a single practice round and still went on to win. Phenomenal.

"Obviously his celebrations were pretty good as well."