Train wreck? Daly says he’s simply a survivor

MELBOURNE, Australia - John Daly is back in Australia after six years, hoping to put years of golfing decline and personal self-destruction behind him.

“Everybody has problems and I’m a fi ghter. I’m a survivor and I’ll get through anything people can throw at me,” Daly said Wednesday. “I’ve done a lot of stupid things I take responsibility for, but a lot of it came upon me. It’s just life. We’ve got to live it and get through it.”

Daly, a two-time major winner, hasn’t had his PGA Tour card since 2006. He comes to the Australian Masters, which begins today, a month after spending a night in jail in Winston, N.C.

“I’m just trying to do the best I can, trying to get my golf game back,” Daly said. “Everybody goes through ups and downs in life. Unfortunately mine are more publicized than most.”

Australian golfer Stuart Appleby compared Daly’s natural ability to that of Tiger Woods, but described the burly American’s life as a “train wreck.”

Daly’s reaction: “Did anybody survive? I’m still surviving the train wreck.”

Baseball

Citing the unpredictable state of the economy, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt hinted that the team would be reluctant to sweeten the two-year contract offer that would have instantly given outfi elder Manny Ramirez the second-highest annual salary in the game.

Roger Clemens has been asked to end his involvement with a charity golf tournament he has hosted for four years as the fallout from the Mitchell Report continues to haunt the seven-time Cy Young award winner, the Daily News reported. Although Clemens helped raise millions of dollars for charities associated with the event, the Giff Nielsen Day of Golf for Kids was held Nov. 11 at Houston’s Shadow Hawk Golf Club without him.

Tampa Bay Rays outfi elder Rocco Baldelli, who returned to the majors after being diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder that causes chronic muscle fatigue, is the winner of the Tony Conigliaro Award for overcoming adversity through spirit, determination and courage.

Longtime front offi ce executive Wayne Krivsky joined the Baltimore Orioles as special assistant to the president of Baseball operations. Krivsky, a former vice president and general manger for the Cincinnati Reds, will work under club president Andy MacPhail.

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