Golf: `Wild Thing' looks for control Down Under

John Daly loves Australia. The feeling is mutual, given the number of times sponsors entice him Down Under. "Australia is my favourite place to come overseas," Daly said. "The food's good and the people speak English. You can't beat that. I'd love to win a tournament here."

But the "Wild Thing" is too often beaten by the courses. Apart from a victory at a Skins game, Daly's best result is a fifth place at last year's Heineken Classic. To achieve that Daly gripped and ripped his one iron but never his driver. "It was the first time I had ever played 72 holes without using my driver," he said.

The Vines course, situated in the Swan Valley wine region, was designed by Graham Marsh, the veteran Australian who is now performing on the US Seniors tour. Marsh was a thinking man's golfer and his creation relies more on strategy than brute strength. "If you mis-hit your tee ball, you can take some big numbers here," Daly said.

"It can get frustrating because it's natural for me to take a chance. But on every course I've played in Australia, you really have to take control of your game. Playing here has improved my long-iron game."

Daly arrived in Perth having had the weekend at leisure on Queensland's Gold Coast. He missed the half-way cut in the Johnnie Walker Classic. "As soon as I saw that course I didn't have any confidence in my game," Daly, who has been troubled by a hip injury, said. "I chipped so poorly and did not have any feel. Whenever I missed a green, I couldn't get up and down."

Daly has not always covered himself in glory on overseas trips. Only last summer he shot an 89 in the Dutch Open. The knowledge that he has not given value for money does not make it any easier to accept. "What sucks is them paying you a lot of money and then you don't play well and miss the cut. It makes me feel bad but you can only say `sorry'."

Having slipped to 121st on the US money list, Daly has recorded only two top 10 finishes since winning his second major championship at the '95 Open. A brief return to "social drinking" made headline news. And even with his new driver, with which he averages almost 320 yards, he has lost his crown as the longest hitter in golf to Tiger Woods.

Time to rethink. This will be Daly's last overseas trip, the Open at Royal Troon excepted, until the end of the regular season in America. "I really want to concentrate on the US Tour and get back into the top 30." But this is no Ryder Cup bid. "I could be the only American two-time major winner never to play in the match. I don't think they would ever pick me. I don't see why Europe and America is such a big deal. I'm not much of a traditionalist. Why don't they open it up to the whole world? If they had golf in the Olympics and let everyone play, that would fire me up."

While Colin Montgomerie was helping to sell a few Pringle sweaters in downtown Perth, Daly was up at 6am to play the course and avoid the 40- degree heat. "I wanted to be out with the kangaroos. I miss my family," he said.

Only Nick Faldo of last week's star names is missing. Ian Woosnam defends and Ernie Els is here after his victory at Hope Island. "I didn't have too big a party on Sunday night so I should still be OK," Els said. "Give us a chance," rejoined Woosie.