Big Play With Mike Perpich

The key to John Daly's success isn't power, it's impeccable
balance and rhythm, which he used to stiff a long sand shot in OT
to win at Torrey Pines

ANALYSIS

Most Tour pros have calm lives off the course and fight to find
peace inside the ropes. Not John Daly. His personal life has been
a soap opera, but no one has finer rhythm and swings in better
balance than he does, especially under pressure. These skills are
the key to Daly's fabulous short game. At the Buick he was 11 for
13 on sand saves, with three on Sunday alone, including the
32-yarder from behind the 18th green in the playoff that set up
his winning tap-in birdie.

THE TIP

SLOW YOUR SWING FOR LONGER BUNKER SHOTS

Trying to get more distance on long greenside bunker shots, most
golfers speed up their swings when they should do the opposite. A
slower swing creates more friction between the clubhead, the sand
and the ball, and the clubhead remains on the ball longer, so you
transfer more force to the ball. Think of it this way: If your
average swing speed is 55 mph, slow down to 20 mph for a longer
sand shot.

AND ANOTHER THING ...

"I'd love to see Greg Norman, who turns 50 next February, become
a regular on the Champions tour, but it won't happen. At most,
he'll play in the majors."

*****

"Tiger Woods is almost back to his 2000 form--he swings his body,
not his arms, and stays level to the finish--and he'll win at
least two majors this year."

*****

"The chatter about the creation of a single ball for all Tour
pros is absurd. The ball makers and the players will never let it
happen."

COLOR PHOTO: ERICK W. RASCO (BIG PLAY, 2)

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY OF CBS (DALY)

COLOR PHOTO: ERICK W. RASCO (BIG PLAY, 2)/SIMON BRUTY (BACKGROUND)

COLOR PHOTO: MICHAEL WAINE/CORBIS (SPEEDOMETER) NORMAL

COLOR PHOTO: MICHAEL WAINE/CORBIS (SPEEDOMETER) LONG

Mike Perpich teaches at RiverPines Golf in Alpharetta, Ga., and
is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher.