The scene of the Arnold Palmer Invitational since 1974, the Bay Hill course in Orlando hosts a pond that has earned unforgettable moments such as the historic score of 18 made in 1998 by John Daly on… a hole.
Winner in 2021 of theArnold Palmer Invitational, Bryson DeChambeau had created the buzz thanks to his phenomenal drive executed from the start of the 6 which faces a large body of water. Usually, the pros quietly reach the fairway from the right on this par 5, 507 m long, which circumvents the entire obstacle.
Even Bryson DeChambeau didn’t tempt fate
The American had chosen to put on a show by sending a 338m drive which positioned his ball in the rough, 60 meters from the green. Bryson is a thick brute but not as oblivious as a certain John Daly who himself had decided in 1998 to go directly to the green!
John Daly was however in a good dynamic
At that time, “Long John” was already in full descent into hell perfumed with the strong scent of alcohol. This did not prevent the American from becoming in 1997 the first pro on the PGA Tour to display, in a full season, an average drive length greater than 300 yards (274 m) !
At the start of spring 1998, John Daly approached the tournament (then Bay Hill Classic) under good dynamics. He just finished 4th in the Nissan Open and you Honda Classic. After a solid 1st round in 68, the next two (75-70) left him almost no chance of victory, unless there was a feat…
The audience thinks they are in a movie
Sunday March 22 does not cause any. His card is average and he approaches hole 6 without being particularly upbeat. But now, John Daly tries the impossible: driving the green whose carry is approximately 320 meters. Pan! In water. In his relative wisdom, the player does not insist and drops his ball 27 m closer to the fairway.
John, on the other hand, takes his 3 wood out of the bag. He hits the water a second time when the public begins to chant ” Tin Cup, Tin Cup… » title of the film released two years earlier where Kevin Costner interprets a golfer in a similar situation. The encouragement, fallacious one might think, is of no help to him.
An ordeal lived in peace
Showing no signs of nervousness, Daly showered the audience with shots in the water – exactly 6 – before sending his ball – unplayable but safe – to the opposite bank. ” After his 5th hit, I lost count » claims Paul Goydoshis playmate. It is true that the ordeal was endless.
After having dropped a second time, he hits his 6 iron and sends the ball on a rock which makes it ricochet in the bunker opposite the green. One out and two putts later, John Daly scored 18 on his scorecard before birdie the next hole! He only had one bullet left in the bag…
One of the few Archeopteryx in the history of golf
This 18 remains undoubtedly one of the worst scores made on a hole in the history of golf. For specialists, it is an Archeopteryx, a term that indicates a score greater than 15. One might think that John Daly had taken his magic potion, but probably not the one we think…
L’honorable Tom Watsona witness in spite of himself of this privileged moment, describes the scene as follows: It was both a comedy and a tragedy “. A “tragedy-daly” in short.
