Friday, 10th August 2007 at 6:24 pm

John Daly back in the mix

Granted, it’s only one round in, but Feverpitcher is delighted to see Long John Daly amongst the leaders at Southern Hills in the PGA Championship. Hard drinking, chain smoking, in the middle of endless domestic misadventures - few players have brought colour to the game like the big-hitting American. Which, for a sport that dwells in the realm of the conservative on so many fronts, is no bad thing.

There are plenty of players chasing the same title, of course, and a lot of golf still to be played on a demanding layout; Daly’s tasted Major success before, however, and has every right to be considered amongst the genuine contenders. And should he finish on top after four rounds, there’ll be one hell of a party on Sunday night in Daly’s mobile home…

Feverpitcher will be watching Daly carefully; the South Africans will also be under the microscope, although only Ernie and The Goose look in the mix after the first round. Camillo Villegas, the charismatic Columbian, Open champion Padraig Harrington, Tiger Woods - all are part of the early challenge, and will feature heavily in Friday’s coverage. Long John Daly for champion, though; we’ve got the beer on ice, and the ribs defrosting in the kitchen.