John was born about 75 years too late. Still, he has an incredible talent and people love to see him hit a golf ball - far.
Just before he won the British Open, John was "co-designer" of one of my courses, Wicked Stick, in Myrtle Beach, SC. On one visit, he gave an exhibition at the adjacent golf course.
He started the show by hitting a long iron into the open doors of the maintenance building at the other end of the practice range, probably over 250 yards away. Someone from the crowd asked him how to hit different shots with the same club. John pulls out a pitching wedge, tells the crowd he'll hit this one about 200 yards, which he does. He then proceeds to hit the same club about 175, 150, 100, 50, 25 and then on his last swing, he hits the ball, takes one step forward and catches the ball in the air - all with the same club.
I don't condone some of the issues he has had - but regardless of what anyone says, he is still a talented golfer.