Daly Leaves Tour to Treat Alcohol Problem

John Daly’s career has hit bottom almost as quickly as it took flight.

Daly, 26, one of pro golf’s most popular figures, announced Tuesday he is withdrawing from the PGA Tour while he seeks help for an alcohol-related problem.

“I will check into an alcohol rehabilitation facility and will return to tournament play only when I am comfortable my life is in order,� Daly said in a statement issued jointly by Daly and Deane Beman, PGA Tour commissioner.

Daly, one of the world’s longest hitters and the tour’s 1991 rookie of the year after winning the PGA Championship, said treatment would begin immediately in an unidentified center. There was no indication when he would return to the tour.

The announcement follows an apparent brawl at a party at Daly’s home in Castle Rock, Colo., on Dec. 20, resulting in Daly’s arrest on charges of third-degree assault.

Daly’s wife, Bettye, told sheriff’s officers Daly slammed her against a wall and pulled her hair. She later dropped charges.

Arresting officers said liquor bottles were strewn around the house, broken glass was on the floor, a large TV was overturned and there was a hole in a basement wall.

“I deeply regret the incident at my home over the holidays,� Daly said. “My first priority is to create the kind of home atmosphere for my family that we all want. I realize the importance of seeking professional help and, therefore, I will pursue counseling immediately for an alcohol-related problem.�

The fight was the latest in a series of alcohol-related incidents that have plagued Daly since he leaped to prominence with his first tour victory in the PGA Championship.

Daly admitted he had been drinking before a confrontation with a flight attendant, causing him to leave a New York-bound plane in Denver last June 22. He was forced to withdraw not only from the Buick Classic at Westchester Country Club because of the missed flight, but he also missed a charity event the day before the tournament was scheduled to begin.

Daly also said he had been drinking before “trashing a hotel room in South Africa� in December of 1991.

Beman said Daly’s withdrawal from tournament play was voluntary.