Golf: Wild man of golf exits tournament with a whimper

Much as he loves the place, John Daly and Coolum just can't get along.

The Hyatt Regency Coolum course in Queensland was the scene of another Daly meltdown yesterday as the one-time Wild Thing of golf self-destructed with a second round of 83 in the second round of the Australian PGA Championship.

Playing alongside defending champion Robert Allenby and leading Chinese player Wenchong Liang, Daly lost the plot, carding a triple bogey, three doubles and three bogeys in his 11-over crash to bomb out of the tournament.

At times he appeared uninterested, rushing his shots and putts as his score ballooned out.

However unlike 2002 when he stormed off the course after hurling his putter into a lake beside the 18th green and refusing to sign his score card, Daly completed his round, signed for his ugly 83 and then rapidly departed.

Bobby Gates shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead.

It has become an all too familiar scenario for the 44-year-old two-time major champion Daly who, try as he may, has been unable to find redemption at Coolum in several visits since his infamous putter-chucking episode eight years ago.

On that occasion, his emotions were at breaking point as he struggled with news his mother had died while he was on his way out to Australia.

In 2008 Daly needed to birdie his last hole on Friday to make the cut only for his Coolum curse to strike again as two of his shots found the water to send him packing early again.

While Daly didn't hang around long enough to talk to the media, his camp was clearly angered by rumours he and playing partner Allenby had exchanged words.

Tournament promoter Tony Roosenberg, a longtime Daly friend and supporter, sprung to the American's defence.

"That's definitely not the case," Roosenberg said.

"He was very disappointed but there was absolutely no words between the two players.

"He's been very frustrated and today was a bit much."

Asked if Daly had finally had enough of Coolum, where he remains very popular, Roosenberg said the American was more apologetic than angry. "No, not at all," he said. "All he is is apologetic. He feels bad for me and all the fans."

- AAP