OT - Good on ya R & A!

[Michael Dugger]

So, the R & A told John Daly to pound sand, you aren't getting to ride a cart for the Open Championship.


Thus, he's withdrawn...


This same scenario played out at Bethpage during the PGA Champ., where John was granted use of a cart because of his bad knee.


He went on record as saying he takes representing the PGA really seriously as a former champion, and deemed it imperative that he be accommodated so that he can participate.


Meanwhile, photos taken of his cart indicate John is fueled by Diet Coke and cigarettes. 


I was a HUGE John Daly fan back in the day.  Even crossed paths with him on an airplane and happened to have my Sports Illustrated in tow with him on the cover.  Got his John Hancock right across the front of it.


But his act is growing old.  If his knee is so bad he cannot walk, go to the doctor and get it fixed!  We'll see you next year.  Surely it doesn't help that he's lugging around about 100 extra lbs to boot!


John Daly is not the face of golf I want to see promoted any longer.  I'm glad the R & A rejected his request. 

[Jonathan Mallard]

He posted on Twitter that he was planning on pegging it.


Subsequently, he posted that he developed partial sepsis as a complication from a spider bite while on vacation.


The latter may have precipitated his withdrawal.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Please let me know if you decide to give away your SI issue instead of burning or otherwise trashing it, I'll send you an address to mail it to.   

[Lou_Duran]

And I thought that we are an inclusive sort on this site.  John is a victim of his very human frailties.  Why not let him have a go on those one-man scooters and see if he can break 160 for two rounds.  Wouldn't the betting parlors and the fans enjoy the spectacle?  What would be the odds on JD not tumbling down to the bottom of Calamity Corner?

[Greg Smith]

Well, one reason cited in the R&A statement was that the terrain at Portrush was particularly unsuited to motorized vehicles.  The "safety" concern seems like it might hold water here -- and that's probably enough even absent other issues.


Nobody really needs Big John taking a tumble on those dunes, including Big John. 

[jeffwarne]

The second reason that THE Open has become THE Open


the first being the USGA absolutely shooting themselves annually in the foot


Zero reason to allow it, and I love they evaluate on a case by case basis

[Matthew Rose]

Now he's googling to see if there are any Hooters locations in Ulster.

[Steve Salmen]

Where have you gone, Casey Maartin,
John Daly turns his lonely eyes to you...
Huhuhu


What's that you say, ancient R and A,
John will never drive on your fairways,
Huhuhu, ahahah

[Joe Leenheer]

Where have you gone, Casey Maartin,
John Daly turns his lonely eyes to you...
Huhuhu


What's that you say, ancient R and A,
John will never drive on your fairways,
Huhuhu, ahahah

Love a little S & G...well played Steve.


I wonder if a handicapped golfer qualified for The Open if a car would be permitted?  The R&A's reasoning leaned heavily on the importance of walking, traditions of the game, and player safety but would they deny someone who was truly handicapped?


Say Chad Pfeifer who is a military veteran with who lost a leg in the line of duty qualified (made a name on the Big Break)....do they sing a different tune?


I'd have no issue with JD riding....mostly because he won't contend, he will engage with the fans, and as a past champion has earned the spot....unless I was the first alternate...then screw that guy I want the Jug!

[John Kavanaugh]

Let's be careful defining who is or is not handicapped. I cozy up to a handicapped public restroom stall on a daily basis. It's a moral struggle mixed with a physical imperative. I hope it doesn't define me.

[Cliff Hamm]

While ADA does not apply in Great Britain, the question that Daly's case raises is...is he disabled when his disability is remediable - knee replacement.  If you are legally blind, but glasses improve vision past the blind threshold, are you disabled?  In Casey Martin's case the answer was obvious as his disability was not remediable. 

[Kalen Braley]

...

[Thomas Dai]

If he was a regular tour player with the game to win or at least compete at the top of the leaderboard in the event I might have sympathy, especially if his family finances and future are also on the line.
however, ..... JD is 53 and although he won The Open 24 yrs ago, yes it's been that long, he's effectively taking up a spot in the field that someone else who has a chance to win or at least do well and for whom the money would be helpful could be taking.
Let's see 156 guys who might win or who's game is good enough to do well take full part and have say a 9-hole comp for past champions, and let them ride in buggies if they need too, who want to be there and involved in some way say on the Wed afternoon beforehand.
atb

[Ronald Montesano]

Please let me know if you decide to give away your SI issue instead of burning or otherwise trashing it, I'll send you an address to mail it to.   

Jim, I have one signed by Hayden Finch. If you want it, send me your mailing address.

rm

[astavrides]

He posted on Twitter that he was planning on pegging it.


Subsequently, he posted that he developed partial sepsis as a complication from a spider bite while on vacation.


The latter may have precipitated his withdrawal.

He's playing in the pga tour event now (held same week as the Open-the Barbisol Championship).

[Mark Chaplin]

Well, one reason cited in the R&A statement was that the terrain at Portrush was particularly unsuited to motorized vehicles.  The "safety" concern seems like it might hold water here -- and that's probably enough even absent other issues.


Nobody really needs Big John taking a tumble on those dunes, including Big John.

There will be a fleet of at least 100 buggies all over Royal Portrush next week, safety is a weak excuse.

[Jon Wiggett]

While ADA does not apply in Great Britain, the question that Daly's case raises is...is he disabled when his disability is remediable - knee replacement.  If you are legally blind, but glasses improve vision past the blind threshold, are you disabled?  In Casey Martin's case the answer was obvious as his disability was not remediable.

Cliff,


the question you raise is an interesting one. With Daly the question is more is he disabled or is he injured? I would go for the latter definition and so there is no 'right of access' rights when it comes to participation. In Martin's case I would have thought his was a disability and so would fall under disability participation laws.


Jon

[Sean_A]

Well, one reason cited in the R&A statement was that the terrain at Portrush was particularly unsuited to motorized vehicles.  The "safety" concern seems like it might hold water here -- and that's probably enough even absent other issues.


Nobody really needs Big John taking a tumble on those dunes, including Big John.

There will be a fleet of at least 100 buggies all over Royal Portrush next week, safety is a weak excuse.

Yes, a ridiculous reason for denying the request. Why does the R&A feel the need to offer any explanation other than yes or no... especially if bullshit is part of the response?

Ciao

[Kyle Harris]

Well, one reason cited in the R&A statement was that the terrain at Portrush was particularly unsuited to motorized vehicles.  The "safety" concern seems like it might hold water here -- and that's probably enough even absent other issues.


Nobody really needs Big John taking a tumble on those dunes, including Big John.

There will be a fleet of at least 100 buggies all over Royal Portrush next week, safety is a weak excuse.

If John Daly were as good at orchestrating his golf ball around a golf course as the R&A is their buggies, this wouldn't be an issue.

[Ronald Montesano]

I had a go-round with MF on Twitter on this very topic this week. Daly is not injured; he has osteoarthritis, as defined by the ADA. This is not up for debate, whether "you" consider it an injury, a syndrome, a condition. The European Tour does not have an ADA-equivalent proviso for carts, and this would be quite challenging to effect, given the number of Yes-Union and No-Union host countries along its tour schedule. Quite separate from the tour, The Open Championship also does not have such, and is under no decree to offer a ride to JD.


The R & A did a proper thing in denying the request. It played the hand of "govern us to do it and then we'll consider it." Once it allows a non-legal precedent to be set, it is open for myriad challenges and requests. The day will come, with The Open as with all golf events, when such a court case is opened.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Jim, I have one signed by Hayden Finch. If you want it, send me your mailing address.

rm

Send it to John Daly.

[Michael Dugger]

the question you raise is an interesting one. With Daly the question is more is he disabled or is he injured?

Exactly my point.  Go see a doctor, have surgery, do therapy, lose some weight...but don't drag golf into the cart ball wars because you are too entitled, lazy and slovenly to get your act together so you can WALK 18 holes to make a living for your family.


This bit about spider bites and intestinal surgery.  Good lord man have you lost all self respect, what a crock.

[Cliff Hamm]

So to answer my own question, in the USA Daly would qualify as disabled under ADA.  Disability that substantially limits a life function - walking - assuming he is telling the truth.  To quote from an article "the courts must consider whether a person has a disability without taking into account any measures the person takes to minimize or control its symptoms (except for regular glasses or contact lenses)".


The final question then is what is an appropriate accommodation? In Casey Martin's case it was an easy decision and it was appalling that the powers that be fought back.  In Daly's case it is less clear, but I suspect the courts would rule for him.


As the current group of big swingers, who are straining their bodies as they age, I suspect we will see more and more carts provided.

[Jon Wiggett]

I had a go-round with MF on Twitter on this very topic this week. Daly is not injured; he has osteoarthritis, as defined by the ADA. This is not up for debate, whether "you" consider it an injury, a syndrome, a condition.



Ronald, last time I checked ADA does not apply in Europe. Secondly, osteoarthritis is very often caused by repetitive movement and being over weight both of which is almost certainly the case with JD. So Osteoarthritis could be considered both a condition and an injury at the same time. Regardless of this I think JD should look to help himself before asking others to accommodate him but if he does so then his case should be considered favourably.

The R & A did a proper thing in denying the request. It played the hand of "govern us to do it and then we'll consider it." Once it allows a non-legal precedent to be set, it is open for myriad challenges and requests. The day will come, with The Open as with all golf events, when such a court case is opened.

[jeffwarne]

There are many situations where one can do the right thing, and the courts would rule against you.


John Daly is an incredibly talented sideshow, always has been.
Some events need that.
Some don't.