Not easy: John Daly’s son once revealed his true feelings on the pressure of carrying a famous name

Carrying the Daly name comes with its perks, but John Daly II admits it’s not always easy. The young golfer recently opened up about the pressure of living in his famous father’s shadow on the course.

Daly II has reflected on various aspects of his relationship with his father, including the bond they share. During one of his July 2025 interviews with SiriusXM, he admitted that he views Daly exactly as “other kids see their dads,” not the golfing legend that he is.

As a result, he feels no “pressure” from his father’s side about living up to his surname. However, Daly II confessed that things change completely when the bigger picture is taken into consideration.

Speaking to Bo Mattingly on a December 2023 episode of Hogs+, Daly II said, “I grew up playing [with him], so, I mean it’s awesome obviously. But it’s tough being in his shadow. [Maybe] I don’t want to say tough, but it’s definitely not easy, that’s for sure.”

John Daly with his son John Daly II | Credits: @pgatourchampions on Instagram

Nevertheless, it seems like Daly II is handling this tough task pretty well. The 22-year-old has been showing his mettle in top-tier tournaments since the late 2010s. Daly II has also won multiple individual accolades, including the 2025 Southern Amateur Championship.

However, he has looked even better with his father by his side. The father-and-son duo won the 2021 edition of the PNC Championship and finished second in the 2018 and 2022 seasons.

But while Papa Daly can be proud of the way his son is following in his footsteps, he doesn’t want his son to replicate the journey entirely.

John Daly wants his son’s off-course life to be “opposite” to his

While Daly is hailed by fans worldwide for his pedigree in the sport, his life off the court is far from inspirational. The 59-year-old struggled with alcoholism and volatile behavior on and off the course, which also led to multiple PGA Tour suspensions and disqualifications.

Daly realizes that following his off-court life can ruin his son’s caliber in the sport. During Daly II’s Hogs+ interview, he also revealed the advice that his father gives him for his life off the court.

“He was a little crazier than I am, back in his college days. We always joke around [about that and] he goes, ‘Son, do the opposite of me. You’ll be great.’” said the 22-year-old.

Well, Daly II’s record off the course says that he has followed his father’s advice pretty well so far. And on the court, he might be on the way to becoming a great player of the game like his father.

Two-time major champion, larger-than-life personality, and golf’s ultimate rebel, John Daly, has never been afraid to speak his mind. His quotes are funny, raw, and surprisingly wise at times. So, here are 12 statements that perfectly capture Daly’s unique and sometimes unorthodox personality.