Building lasting friendships in the golf world is a tough job, especially when you’re dealing with superstars like John Daly and Tiger Woods.

Despite their seemingly friendly relationship, the media has often highlighted a rift between the two. One notable instance was at the 2019 PGA Championship, where Daly was allowed to use a golf cart due to his arthritis, and Woods commented on him walking with a broken leg during the 2008 US Open.

Daly clarified that Tiger Woods didn’t know the full extent of his health issues. Woods was unaware of Daly’s diabetes and knee problems. Woods apologized for his comment over dinner at the PNC Championship. Daly expressed his love and respect for Woods. So, their friendship has endured despite the ups and downs.

Interestingly, Daly has also spoken about meeting Woods as a young boy and promising his parents that he’d look out for him – a promise that still holds today. Daly has also kept one promise he made to Woods’s deceased mother all these years.

In the latest YouTube episode of the “Like the Farmer” podcast, John Daly shared a heartwarming story about his encounter with a young Tiger Woods. In the 90s, John Daly met a 12-year-old Tiger Woods at the Texarkana Country Club. Daly was playing on the Nike tour at the time.

He was impressed by Woods’s talent and promised his parents, Earl and Kultida Woods, that he would look out for him once he turned pro. “I was 20, I was playing the Nike tour back in ’90… and we go to Texarkana Country Club and this little kid, 12 or 13 years old, I’m playing with him and people were talking how great he’s going to be and all this, and I’m excited.”

Daly recalls a specific moment during their round together when he hit an incredible shot with his HT Max Fly. Woods was left speechless. To this day, Daly claims that Woods still talks about that shot, calling it the greatest he’s ever seen.

“We get on this par three at Texarkana Country Club… and I hit this ball with an HT Max Fly, and it was just the whole way, and it got to the front of the green… and Tiger, to this day, will ask anybody, ‘It was the greatest shot you ever saw on golf,’ he’ll say that.” Daly’s encounter with Woods marked the beginning of a special relationship between the two golfing legends.

Despite their distant relationship, Daly and Woods have remained close over the years, often reuniting at golf tournaments.

Tiger Woods and John Daly’s interaction at the 2024 PNC Championship

Tiger Woods and John Daly have a friendly and playful relationship. This was evident a few years ago when Daly recalled a hilarious encounter with Woods at the 2004 Target World Challenge. Daly invited Woods to grab a beer with him and his friends.

Woods declined, saying he had to hit the gym instead. Daly jokingly told him he didn’t need to work out. Woods responded, “If I had your talent, I’d be doing the same thing.” This lighthearted exchange showcased the playful dynamic as well as the respect between the two golfing legends.

Years later at the 2024 PNC Championship Woods dished out a banter! As he spotted Daly, he shouted, “I’ll meet you in the gym!” – a playful jab that left both golfing legends in stitches. Daly fired back, “My gym is a three-letter word – ‘bar’.”

Woods chuckled and responded with a simple “Right”. It’s clear that Woods and Daly have a deep affection and respect for each other. Their playful jabs only add to their enduring friendship. What do you think about Woods and Daly’s friendly banter? Let us know in the comment section below!