John Daly to lose out on $780,000-plus a year cash windfall from Masters 2026 after iconic venue is demolished

The beloved star, 59, is known for his eccentric personality, including a drinking, smoking, rock’n’roll lifestyle – and his iconic mullet.

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John Daly is set to lose out on some of his signature Masters earningsCredit: Getty
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The beloved Hooters location where Daly camped out and sold merchandise was demolished last yearCredit: Getty
It is no surprise then that over the years he has been able to make a decent living out of the Masters – despite not having played in it since 2006.

Daly made his money at the tournament through a tradition he founded of setting up shop to sell his merchandise outside a Hooters restaurant near the course.

He would pull up in the establishment’s parking area in his RV and meet and greet fans while selling the items.

Hats($40), balls($10) and even boxes of cigars($250) were all on sale at his stall, where he promised to sign anything someone bought.

The tradition has been a nice money-spinner for the California native, with his team telling ESPN that he made $780,000 while camped out for the 2024 Masters alone.

That was more than many of the actual competitors made at the event.

That same year he told the outlet at the scene of his stall that he was there to: “Eat some good food, smoke, sell some s***.”

But his earnings have been put in jeopardy this year.

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Daly has had to leave Hooters behind in favor of a new host locationCredit: supplied
The Augusta Hooters on Washington Road – which Daly called home during the Masters for many years – was demolished in November, forcing Daly to find alternative accommodations.

The branch shut down in July after Hooters filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell off many of their restaurants.

Daly was able to adapt to the tragic news, and revealed earlier this month that he had found a new location for his tradition.