The Legendary John Daly is 50 Years Old Today

John Daly turns 50 years old today. The two-time major champion is also a week away from playing in his first Champions Tour event, the Insperity Invitational in Texas. Daly is a character on and off the course, and claims – via Golf Channel – that he’ll “never grow up.”

"“I’ll never grow up,” Daly concedes when asked the difference between 25-year-old JD and the 50-year-old version. “I’m probably going to end up throwing clubs on the Champions Tour, I’m still gonna be me. There’s no telling what sort of things I can do, but all I know is I’m enjoying life right now and my kids are healthy and things are pretty good.”"

Daly says he sees himself in his son as well.

"“The funny thing is I see it in my son,” Daly says. “He’s 12 and what can I say if he’s not playing good? He likes to throw clubs, but how can I give him advice? “’Don’t be like dad,’ and he sees me whipping one at the PGA. He just laughs about it and I say that’s not good. I shouldn’t have done that but it’s the mentality of how we played.”"

Daly also tells a story of a time he tried to get Tiger Woods to go have a beer with him during the 2004 Target World Challenge.

"“Tiger’s there in his workout clothes and I said, ‘Tiger come have a beer with us, man,’” Daly recalls. Woods declined, explaining that he was bound for the gym and one of his ubiquitous workout sessions. Daly persisted, “I go, ‘Man, you don’t need to work out. You need to drink a little bit with us.’” “He said, ‘If I had your talent I’d be doing the same thing you’re doing,’” Daly says. “I’m looking at him thinking ‘you’re crazy, man.’”"

Please John, do not grow up. It’s hard not to appreciate the awesomeness of the pants, merchandise sales outside of Hooters, debates of whether Hooters or Twin Peaks is better, throwing clubs into Lake Michigan during the PGA Championship, and singing ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ after collapsing during a tournament and having CPR performed on him.

That’s the stuff of legends.