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• John Daly shoots bogey-free round of 65 on first day of pro-am
• Admits wild days are truly over and says he’s “very boring” now
• Aims to compete at the highest level ahead of turning 50 in 2016

JOHN DALY

John Daly has admitted his wild days are deep in the past and that he and fiancée Anna Cladakis are “very boring people now” after the American opened with a flawless seven-under 65 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

The 48-year-old, who hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since 2004, has had his fair share of off-course troubles over the years, including issues with alcohol, gambling and weight but described Cladakis, who will become Daly’s fifth wife, as his soul-mate following their engagement late last year.

And with his family by his side at Pebble Beach, Daly – who is one shot behind leaders J.B. Holmes and Justin Hicks – is content with his current lifestyle.

“I couldn’t be happier in my life” – John Daly

He said: “It’s great. With her daughter and my two , that’s our team. It’s been that way for a few years now and, on and off the golf course, I couldn’t be happier in my life. I’m struggling with him in sixth grade but other than that, we’re doing pretty good.

“We’re very boring people right now, we really are. But importantly we have fun together.”

John Daly

Speaking to Sky Sports after his round, the two-time major champion also spoke of his aims over the next 14 months before he reaches 50.

“For me, I know I’m going to be exempt for a few years on the Champions Tour. I’m so competitive so hopefully I’ll be able to play some tour events as well,” John Daly said.

“The ultimate goal is to somehow play well enough to get my card and play both tours next year because I won’t turn 50 until April 28 , so I’ve got almost four months to get some tournaments in and keep fresh. But I’m too competitive not to want to play out here still.”

John Daly’s 65 yesterday was his lowest opening round in almost ten years and the ‘Wild Thing’ said a lot of that was to do with the superb conditions on the course.

He said: “In 24 or 26 years, however long I’ve been here as a pro, I’ve never seen a prettier, more beautiful day than I saw at Pebble today.

Pebble Beach

“I love playing this golf course. I don’t care if it’s windy. It’s just when you get the cold, the wind and the rain together when it’s tough on all of us. It’s just great to be able to come out here and not have to survive the weather and survive the golf course. It’s exciting to play Pebble without a bogey but we’ll just see what happens.”

John Daly tees of at 8am local time (4pm UK time) on Monterey Peninsula along with Tommy Gainey and amateurs Herman Edwards and Geoff Couch.

John Daly and his flawless first round :: Your thoughts

The American hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since 2004 but after his round of 65 yesterday, does he have a chance of winning at Pebble Beach? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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