John Daly's Honda Classic Lawsuit

[Stretch]

I met John a few times in 1990 when he was on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. He was a pretty nice guy back then, but it was already crystal clear that you wouldn't want to give him the keys to your drinks cabinet or your sister's phone number. He just looks like a broken man now. I know he did it to himself, but it's sad to see.

[TourSpoon]

I think that "sad" really sums it up...

[Greg]

Sad part is, even when he was fat and a drunk, he could play. If only he would have had the drive to get in shape, both physically and emotionally years ago he would have had a good, probably not great but good career, a few wins here and there, would have kept his card and not have to rely on sponsors exemptions and such. He can still play, but its clear that his best days are behind him. Maybe in a few years he could try the champions tour but those players are so good they would eat his lunch too, especially with Kenny Perry and probably Vijay Singh joining in a few years, its only going to get stronger. Possibly going back down to the Nationwide tour, but those players are still better than he is and he would struggle to make cuts there as well, and for a lot less money. Its meant to be a developmental tour to springboard young players up to the pga tour, not a fallback for those not good enough to stay.

[Chas]

Bottom line JD hires attorneys and they do whatever they can to represent JD's interest. Most attorneys I know, that are acting in a fiduciary interest of their client, would sue all parties involved with the event. That is what they are paid to do. Sorry like golf, the law has no black and white rules. You play the playbook you have in front of you.

I don't care what JD's attorneys advised him to do, the decision to sue was the golfer's and the golfer's alone - and he is going to have to live with the consequences to his reputation. Not the lawyers, whose reputations are unlikely to be brought lower than they already are. JD acts like he doesn't care what people think of him, so be it.

He used to really have something going for him. Now ..... what a loser.

[BonoVox]

I don't care what JD's attorneys advised him to do, the decision to sue was the golfer's and the golfer's alone - and he is going to have to live with the consequences to his reputation. Not the lawyers, whose reputations are unlikely to be brought lower than they already are. JD acts like he doesn't care what people think of him, so be it.

Agree, it is what it is as far as his reputation to the fans of the game. But as far as X's and O's of a lawsuit from alleged mismanagement of a security situation that allegedly hurt him and if so proven beyond a preponderance of the evidence his ability to earn money going forward. They did what they had/have to do. Should be interesting to see how this ends up. I actually think he loses the lawsuit.

I guess my point is you hire professionals and then you should listen to them or don't hire them. Argument is he listened to his attorneys before he listened to his PR guy. Who knows he has fired enough caddies. Maybe he is not listening to his attorneys either. Whatever! Fore!!!!!!!!!!

[Chas]

Yes, it should be a nice one. How much objective medical data is going to be presented by plaintiff's lawyers I'm wondering. Absent a good deal of credible medical evidence (emphasis on 'credible'), the jury is going to be asked to accept the golfer's claims as to the extent of his injury and his actual ability to play the game competitively as well as he otherwise might. Character and credibility is going to be an issue, perhaps also his very poor showing on the course of late (as affecting expectations of future earnings).

It isn't going to be very pretty for the guy in court if it gets there but it looks like he won't be worrying about that unduly. Not our JD. The lawyers for the defense are undoubtedly going to play hard ball as well and attack him as best they can - plenty to work with there. Like you say, it should be interesting. And the sponsors will be watching the fall-out most closely.

So the question is raised most pointedly: in the unlikely event that he wins the case, what is his future career actually worth?, i.e. what would constitute fair compensation for somewhat diminished capability? Not very much IMO - rather embarrassing for the guy to make it an issue right now I would have thought. Better to have made a showing or two on the tour lately before bringing such an action than to have become more of a clown than a sportsman. What's the expression .... O yes, a pyrrhic victory. I doubt any future as a bar-room celebrity will be much compromised. On the contrary.

[1clubmakere2]

A sad sad case but he has done it to himself and now it looks like he could be toast for sure---if he goes forward with this who in their right mind would want him around and take the chance he may do it again to them? JD is now a total bottom feeder and has done it all on his own.

[JWL1957]

My guess is that he will lose alot of the sponsors exemptions in the future. He has been a liability for a long time as it is.

This fiasco will take away alot of his remaining fans.