John Daly's personal battle with alcoholism will continue this week in Hong Kong as he aims to win the Perrier Open Championship at Fanling on Sunday.
The two-time Major champion admitted yesterday that he was going through a 'scary and difficult time'.
Daly, who is playing for the first time in Hong Kong, said: 'It scares the living hell out of me. I'm going through a very difficult time. I am in what they call relapse mode. It is a struggle . . . I have to fight each day to get through it.' Daly, who is one of the big names in the field of 138 which will tee off tomorrow at the 40th staging of the oldest sporting event in Hong Kong, says he is very glad that this week he will not have to face the pressures of playing in a golf tournament that has links with an alcohol sponsor.
'Golf is a pressure game. It is stressful and is really a drinking man's game . . . so it is nice to have a sponsor not related to alcohol this week,' said Daly yesterday.
The American star, who was winner of the 1995 British Open and the 1991 PGA Championship, is one of the leading contenders to win the US$300,000 tournament.
While the star-studded field also includes other heavyweights like defending champion Frank Nobilo of New Zealand, Italian Costantino Rocca, South Africa's David Frost and Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain, most eyes will be on Daly.
The 32-year-old Daly has many nicknames - 'Long John' is one, for his renowned ability at being one of the longest drivers in the world's professional circuit. 'Wild Thing', for his wild unpredictable behaviour, is another. But Daly says he hopes the latter label is a thing of the past. At a press conference yesterday, he said he has been off the booze for the past 18 months, although it was a daily battle to stay sober.
