Veteran golfer John Daly has openly acknowledged Tiger Woods’ superior skill in reading greens, highlighting a clear difference between their games despite their mutual respect. Both players have led distinct lifestyles and personalities throughout their careers, yet Daly praised Woods for his unmatched feel on the greens. This observation came during an interview where Daly contrasted their talents, emphasizing Tiger Woods’ exceptional ability as a key factor in his success.
In 2017, Daly ended a 13-year winless streak by capturing the Insperity Invitational, a significant milestone in his professional career. During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show that year, he discussed his on-course rivalry and similarities with Woods, who by then was a 14-time major champion. Daly expressed confidence that they shared comparable natural talent but admitted Woods had a clear edge in a critical aspect of the game.
Regarding this difference, Daly said:
“I think we’re really close on that [natural talent]. But his feel around the greens when he was winning all of those tournaments was better than anybody. You could almost say it was better than Nicklaus. I think Tiger was almost one, two, three, four steps ahead of me in this game.”
That year, Daly delivered a consistent performance with multiple top-10 finishes, including a tied-fourth place at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship held at Phoenix Country Club. Meanwhile, Woods was recovering from numerous back surgeries sustained between 2014 and 2017, limiting his participation significantly.
Between August 2015 and 2018, Woods competed in only one tournament, which resulted in a notable decline in his world rankings. However, he made a remarkable comeback by winning the prestigious 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National at the age of 43, marking his 15th major championship victory.
Memorable Moments: Tiger Woods Recalls a Humorous John Daly Story
John Daly’s 2016 documentary “Hit It Hard” famously highlighted his intense fixation on Diet Cokes, a quirk confirmed by Tiger Woods himself. In May 2022, Woods spoke to Golf Digest from Southern Hills, where he triumphed at the 2007 PGA Championship, and shared an amusing memory involving Daly from that same year.
Woods recalled the extreme heat during the tournament in Tulsa, describing the conditions as brutal. Reflecting on a round when he played behind Daly, Woods remembered:
“It was not cold that week. I remember playing behind JD [John Daly] the first day, which was awesome. It was, what, 109 [degrees] I think that first day? And I asked JD how many waters he drank out there, he said, ‘No, I had 13 Diet Cokes.'”
Throughout their careers, Woods and Daly shared moments of competition and rivalry, especially during their peaks. At the 2007 PGA Championship, Woods secured the title while Daly finished tied for 32nd, trailing by 14 shots.
The Lasting Impact of Their Rivalry and Respect
The acknowledgment from John Daly about Tiger Woods’ superior green reading sheds light on the subtle nuances that differentiate elite golfers. Despite similar natural gifts, Woods’ ability to anticipate and navigate greens gave him a distinct advantage, contributing to his extraordinary career achievements. Daly’s reflections provide insight into the competitive dynamic between two personalities who approached the sport differently but maintained respect for each other’s talents.
Woods’ eventual return to form and victory at the 2019 Masters underscored his resilience and exceptional skill, particularly in areas like green reading that players like Daly recognized as unmatched. Their shared history continues to resonate within the golfing world, emphasizing how specific skills can set players apart even among the best.