Tim Finchem stresses professional behaviour

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem stressed in a players meeting last week the importance of having a professional appearance. About the same time, a video was making the rounds of John Daly looking anything but that.

Daly was in Branson, Mo., at a golf course that bears his name, John Daly’s Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, for a television appearance. He showed up wearing only blue jeans—no shoes, socks or shirt, and played with a local TV anchor.

Finchem declined to say whether he has spoken to Daly, but he made his expectations quite clear Tuesday.

“There are certain things about presentation that we must insist on,” Finchem said. “There are certain things about presentation that are not going to be tolerated. I think that the world changes and you make adjustments, but I think perhaps we need to be more direct in our comments to players about specific do’s and don’ts, and increase focus in that area to make sure that we have a level of professionalism going forward that we’re comfortable with.”

It was the latest incident with Daly that some found offensive.

Two months ago at the PODS Championship, he spent a rain delay in a Hooters tent, then used Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his caddie for the final few holes. Daly was playing on a sponsor’s exemption.

That led swing coach Butch Harmon to fire Daly for spending more time drinking than working on his game. Daly said last week that Harmon called and apologized for such harsh comments, and how it cost Daly his endorsements.

Harmon said he never apologized to Daly, then offered a quick look Tuesday at a text message he sent Daly that urged the two-time major champion to start taking responsibility for his own actions.