Fan-Favourite John Daly Commits to Playing 2025 Rogers Charity Classic
Long John Daly is ready to 'Grip it and Rip It' in Calgary this summer, confirming he will play once again in the 2025 Rogers Charity Classic, August 11-17.
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Golf's bad boy from Arkansas will make his fifth appearance at Canada's lone PGA TOUR Champions stop.
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One of the most colourful characters in professional sports, the two-time major champion and winner of five PGA TOUR titles is one of the most adored by golf fans around the globe, which has helped spike galleries over the last seven seasons since he began competing on the senior circuit.
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'John Daly is one of a handful of players in professional golf who continues to be a needle mover,' said Sean Van Kesteren, executive director, Rogers Charity Classic. 'John is exactly who fans of any sporting event want to come out and see. He is a colourful character that is very entertaining while interacting with his loyal fan base and still hits the ball a mile. Having John Daly commit to playing in Calgary once again takes our tournament to a new level.'
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The story of how golf's 'Wild Thing' burst onto the international scene more than three decades ago never gets old. The ninth and final alternate of the 1991 PGA Championship, the 25-year-old rookie drove halfway across the country the night before his first round at Crooked Stick Golf Club where he eventually went out and won the golf tournament – not to mention legions of fans around the world with his booming drives, deft short game and fearless approach to the game. He backed that up by winning the 1995 British Open at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews.
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'I've always said I've got the greatest fans in the world, and Calgary is no different. No matter what, through thick and thin, they've always stuck by me,' said Daly, whose lone victory on the 50 and over swing came at the 2017 Insperity Invitational. 'This tournament always has huge galleries. There is nothing better than getting it going and having the fans get loud and crazy. That's just the way I like them so I'm looking forward to getting up to Canada, and hopefully give the fans something to get loud about.'
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Earlier this spring, the Rogers Charity Classic announced six other major winners will have their names on the 2025 tee sheet including: Ernie Els (2012, 2002 British Open and 1997, 1994 U.S. Open); Darren Clarke (2011 British Open), David Duval (2001 British Open), three-time major titleholder, Vijay Singh (2000 Masters, 2004 and 1998 PGA Championship) and David Toms (2001 PGA Championship) will join previously announced Team Rogers athlete, Canada's Mike Weir (2003 Masters). World Golf Hall of Famer, Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Ames will also be in the 78-man field at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club this summer.
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