John Daly is widely regarded as one of the longest drivers of the ball of all time.
Even before the recent advances in technology, Daly regularly carried his driver over 300 yards.
Daly actually held the world record for the longest drive up until last week, when Kyle Berkshire beat the 59-year-old’s 806-yard effort on a runway.
He was one of the most charismatic golfers ever to have graced the PGA Tour, and he’s still a hugely popular figure amongst golf fans.
Daly claimed that he would regularly clock up 200mph+ ball speeds in his prime, and that wouldn’t be a surprise, given the fact that he averaged well over 300 yards with inferior technology in six out of seven seasons from 1997 onwards.
Back at the 1998 US Open, Daly produced an example of his awesome power by driving the seventh green at Olympic Club.
His son – John Daly II – is an incredibly long hitter as well, but could he match what his father did 27 years ago?
John Daly’s son attempts to drive the 7th green at Olympic Club
The US Amateur begins on Monday at Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.
Jose Luis Ballester won the tournament in 2024, following in the footsteps of previous winners Viktor Hovland, Bryson DeChambeau, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Daly will be hoping to emulate those names by ending up victorious at The Olympic Club next week. He tees off at 12:57pm local time on Monday alongside Dean Greyserman and Tyler Watts.
During his practice ahead of the US Amateur, Daly attempted to replicate a shot that his dad hit way back in 1998 at the US Open.
Here is what happened:
The seventh hole is 316 yards long, and Daly easily reached the green 27 years ago – a feat that his son was unable to match.
Everything you need to know about John Daly’s son
Daly’s son is an exceptionally talented young golfer.
However, whether he has what it takes to replicate his father’s outstanding career in the professional game remains to be seen.
Daly, 22, won the Southern Amateur Championship this year – an event won by the likes of Harris English, Webb Simpson and Justin Leonard in the past.
He recorded a four-round total of 10-under-par, 278, and it was a hugely important victory for him, giving him the confidence that he belongs at the highest level.
Daly has played in one Korn Ferry Tour event, at the Compliance Solutions Championship, but he missed the cut after shooting rounds of 76 and 72.
He is currently ranked as the 120th best amateur in the world, and it will be really interesting to see how he performs at the US Amateur Championship next week.
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