John Daly II has made a remarkable leap in his golf career, making his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open. The 22-year-old, son of legendary golfer John Daly, is currently three shots behind the leader heading into the final round. His journey from struggling in college to competing at the highest level highlights his dedication and growth. Daly’s rise has been nothing short of impressive. Just over a year ago, he faced challenges at the University of Arkansas, where he couldn’t secure a starting spot despite his mental toughness and short game. His coach, Brad McMakin, described Daly’s progress as the most satisfying he’s seen in 30 years of coaching. Daly’s improvement has positioned him as a top-50 amateur globally, ranked No. 54 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Daly’s path to success wasn’t easy. As a walk-on freshman, he shot an 83 in his only tournament and redshirted the next season due to struggles with his swing. McMakin admitted he initially made mistakes in coaching Daly, but eventually stepped back, allowing the young golfer to focus on fundamentals. With guidance from his father and former Arkansas assistant Barrett Lais, Daly’s game began to take shape. The breakthrough came last spring, when Daly averaged 75.7 in fall events and became a key player for a struggling Arkansas team. His performance included three top-10 finishes, a first collegiate victory at the Columbia Spring Invitational, and consistent play that helped the team qualify for an NCAA regional. McMakin credited Daly with nearly leading the Razorbacks to the regional with a young squad. Daly’s success continued into the summer, where he placed third at the Northeast Amateur, won the Southern Amateur on Arkansas’ home course, and reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur.#arkansas #john_daly_ii #john_daly #puerto_rico_open #brad_mcmakin
