It’s Daly’s show at Wolf Challenge in Sellersburg Longtime favorite rallies, wins Wolf Challenge SELLERSBURG — John Daly doesn’t find his name on top
of the scoreboard as often as he once did.The PGA Tour veteran and two-time major tournament champion, has not finished first in any tour event since winning the 2004 Buick Open.Perhaps that’s why he was caught a little off guard on Monday when he was told he was the winner at the 2009 Magnolia Health Systems Wolf Challenge at Covered Bridge Golf Club.“Hey John, you won this thing,” said tournament host Fuzzy Zoeller as he stood on the 18th green alongside Daly, Rocco Mediate and Boo Weekley — the foursome that competed in this year’s Wolf event. “What, how did that happen” asked Daly — who won $36,500 for charity on Monday. The win capped a bizarre weekend of sorts for Daly, who withdrew on Friday from competing in the PGA Championship in Minnesota after shooting a first-round 78 on Thursday.He arrived in town to compete in his sixth Wolf Challenge and was far off the lead after 14 holes of play — and at one point jokingly hurled his club into a wooded area and asking some fans for assistance in tracking it down.But Daly won more than $30,000 over the final four holes and topped second-place Mediate in the Skins-style competition.“I’ll take whatever win I can get,” said Daly. “It’s a thrill to be here like always, Fuzzy’s a great friend of mine and I’m more than happy to come play. I’ll do it any year he asks.”Mediate finished at $33,500 and Weekley earned $29,000 while providing the gallery of onlookers with its share of wisdom“How far away from the hole am I” asked Weekley. “Two-eleven (yards), heck there’s a good bar down in Myrtle Beach called 211 — you guys ever go to Myrtle Beach, you make sure you hit that 211 bar now.”Weekley, who made himself a household name in golf with his performance, quotes and Southern drawl during the 2008 United States Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla Golf Club, also told a group a tale about being punched by an orangutan as a teenager.Zoeller, who has now hosted the event for 13 years, won $18,000 total and thanked the crowd for continuing to support the event that raises money for children’s charities. Zoeller noted that Sunday night’s auction at the Galt House in Louisville raised more than $170,000 and all the money earned by players on Monday goes directly to charity as well.“We couldn’t do this without any of you,” Zoeller said to the crowd. “We can only hope to see all of you again next year.”Weekley was quick to take Zoeller up on the offer.“Heck, I’ll be here whether you invite me or not Fuzzy,” said Weekley. Staff photo by C.E. Branham/ Staff photo by C.E. Branham/sportsnewsandtribune.com Staff photo by C.E. Branham/sportsnewsandtribune.com
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