Double Major winning John Daly arrived in Dubai for this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic shocked and surprised after his first event of a new season.
The 45-year old American secured his best finish in some three years finishing fourth in the Qatar Masters.
“Finishing fourth in Qatar is a great start to my year and it’s a great foundation to build on,” he said.
John Daly's 'girl golfers' theme Loud Mouth line of trousers on show during his superb 4th place result in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“I hadn’t played in a while so the result is not on a shock but also a big surprise as it usually takes a long while to get started every new season.
“It seems ages since I had a top-20 anywhere in the world so that’s nice.
“But you know the funny thing? I’m 45 years of age and I am still learning. This is still one of the hardest games in the world and if I had managed to birdie the par fives in Doha who knows what may have happened.”
Daly commenced his new season in Qatar paying a £2,000 European Tour ‘Affiliate Membership’ fee meaning any money he earns this year counts towards securing hopeful full 2013 Tour membership if he should manage to finish among the leading 115 players.
His fourth place finish, and a best since sharing second place in the 2009 BMW Italian Open, has seen Daly move straight into 21st place on the Race to Dubai after earning Euro 94,807 for his Qatari effort.
However Daly, who last won eight years ago, is not only looking to earn his European Tour card for next year but qualifying among the leading 60 for this year’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.
“I’m playing this week in Dubai and next week in India if my visa comes through and then I ‘ll be back on the European Tour for the better part of the year hoping to earn my full Tour card,” he said.
“And if I can play as well I did in Doha then the goal is trying to get into the Dubai World Championship.
“I’m playing three events in the States after India but not enough, given I don’t have PGA Tour membership, to get any rhythm going.
“I’ve indicated to the European Tour what events I would like to play and they’ve said they would do their best with regards invitations.
“So Doha was a great kick start, albeit unexpected, and I just hope to build on the result.
“But we all know golf is a confidence game and it’s all about feeling confident but I felt very confident in Qatar.
“I also felt very good in my last three tournaments of last year. I’ve got over problems with my shoulder and my ribs are good so that gives you a better chance to play good.”
Daly will be making his debut in Dubai and joining World No. 2 Rory McIlroy among the stars set to take to the Emirates course.
