If you walked onto a golf course in 1991 and saw a guy with a bleached mullet, a cigarette dangling from his lip, and a swing that looked like it might tear a hole in the atmosphere, you knew you were looking at John Daly. He was the "Wild Thing." He was the anti-country club hero we didn't know we needed. But for decades, the same question has followed him from the 1st tee to the 19th hole: is John Daly sober?
People want a simple yes or no. They want a redemption arc where the bad boy puts down the bottle, picks up a green juice, and lives happily ever after. But John Daly doesn't do "simple." He doesn't really do "conventional" either.
Honestly, the answer to his sobriety depends entirely on how you define the word. If you mean "has he ever tried to quit?" The answer is a loud yes. If you mean "is he living a stone-cold sober life in 2026?" Well, that’s where things get a bit more complicated—and a lot more "Daly."
The Brutal Truth About John Daly’s Sobriety Journey
Let’s be real for a second. John Daly’s history with alcohol isn't just a few wild nights. It’s been a lifelong battle that started when he was just a kid. He’s gone on record saying he started drinking around age eight or nine. By the time he was winning majors, he was hospitalized multiple times for alcohol poisoning.
He’s been to rehab. More than once.
In the late 90s, he famously struggled with the "shakes" during tournaments. He tried the AA meetings. He tried the Betty Ford Center. But Daly has always been vocal about why traditional recovery didn't stick for him. He hated the meetings. He didn't want to sit in a circle and talk about the past. He told interviewers that listening to people talk about drinking just made him want to go out and have a drink.
So, he stopped going.
Is He Drinking Right Now?
If you're looking for a "sober" icon in the traditional sense, Daly probably isn't your guy. As of 2025 and 2026, John Daly has been remarkably open about the fact that he still drinks. In fact, he’s turned his lifestyle into a literal brand.
He recently made headlines on the Like a Farmer podcast and in interviews with Whiskey Riff, claiming he could "easily" put away 50 to 60 of his own branded canned cocktails in a single day.
- The Drink of Choice: He’s moved away from the hard whiskey that nearly killed him in the 90s.
- The "Good Boy" Factor: He partnered with Good Boy Vodka to create his own line of John Daly cocktails—basically boozy versions of an Arnold Palmer.
- The Logic: Daly argues that because these drinks are non-carbonated, zero sugar, and relatively low ABV (around 4.5%), they don't hit him the same way.
Is drinking 60 seltzers in a day "sober"? Obviously not. But in Daly's world, it’s a form of "control" compared to the days of drinking a fifth of Jack Daniel's before a round. It’s a messy, nuanced version of harm reduction that would make a doctor cringe but seems to be how Big John survives.
Cancer, Health Scares, and the "Lazarus" Effect
You’d think a bladder cancer diagnosis in 2020 would be the ultimate wake-up call. Doctors told him there was an 85% chance of relapse if he didn't change his ways. He underwent surgery, did the chemo, and for a minute, it looked like he was turning a corner.
He told the press he was cutting back on the Diet Cokes—which he used to drink by the gallon—and trying to slow down the smoking.
"I'm like Lazarus," he told the AP recently. "I keep coming back from the dead. Waking up is a win for me."
But even with the threat of cancer returning, Daly hasn't fully embraced the "clean" life. He still smokes. He still drinks his vodka teas. He still eats the burgers. He’s essentially decided that he’s going to live his life on his own terms, even if those terms are risky. It’s a defiant stance that makes him incredibly relatable to some and incredibly frustrating to others.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Daly is "in denial." If you listen to him speak, he’s actually brutally honest. He knows he has an addictive personality. He knows his liver has taken a beating.
He just doesn't care to fit the mold of the "recovering addict."
He’s found a middle ground—or at least his version of it. He credits his son, John Daly II, with keeping him grounded. He focuses on the PGA Tour Champions, signs autographs outside Hooters in his RV, and runs his business ventures. He’s traded the chaotic, out-of-control binges of the 90s for a more "managed" (by his standards) lifestyle.
The Actionable Takeaway: Lessons from the Wild Thing
While we wouldn't recommend the "60 seltzers a day" diet to anyone, there are a few things we can learn from Daly’s wild ride:
- Honesty is a Start: Daly doesn't lie about his struggles. Whether he's sober or not, he owns his choices. That level of transparency is rare.
- Recovery Isn't One-Size-Fits-All: While Daly rejected traditional rehab, his journey shows that everyone’s path is different. However, it also shows the danger of trying to "white-knuckle" it without professional help.
- Know the Risks: If you struggle with alcohol, Daly’s health scares (cancer, sepsis, hand surgeries) are a sobering reminder of the physical toll.
John Daly remains one of the most polarizing figures in sports. He isn't the poster child for sobriety, but he is the poster child for being exactly who you are, for better or worse.
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To stay updated on John Daly’s health and career, keep an eye on official PGA Tour Champions updates or his official business partnerships with Good Boy Vodka, as these are usually where his most candid lifestyle updates emerge.