Trump’s Golf BFF Melts Down After ‘Worst Hole Ever’

Golf fans have seen John Daly do a lot of outrageous things over the decades — but nothing quite like what happened Friday in South Dakota.

The 59-year-old two-time major champion unraveled at the Sanford International, taking a jaw-dropping 19 strokes to complete the par-5 12th hole at Minnehaha Country Club. The collapse instantly became the worst hole of Daly’s rollercoaster career, even by his own colorful standards.

“It’s tough to watch a legend go through something like that,” one fan muttered near the ropes, shaking his head as Daly sent ball after ball into the rough, water, and woods.

The nightmare began with a wayward tee shot. From there, Daly hit out of bounds an astonishing seven times in a row. Balls splashed, thudded into the trees, and ricocheted off into disaster.

Yet, in a bizarre twist, once Daly finally reached the green, he needed only one putt to close out the disaster hole. Still, the damage was historic: 19 strokes. He finished the round at 18-over par, a staggering 24 shots behind leader Ángel Cabrera.

For perspective, Daly’s previous personal worst was an 18 on a single hole back at the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational. He’s had other infamous implosions — a 14 at Pebble Beach in 2000, and a 13 at TPC Deere Run in 2011. But this latest collapse, in the twilight of his career, felt different.

“It was like watching ‘Tin Cup’ in real life, only sadder,” joked one commentator, referencing the cult golf movie about a self-destructive player. On social media, the comparisons came fast, with fans dubbing it “the greatest 19 in history.”

Daly has always been golf’s wild card. A working-class kid from Arkansas, he stunned the sport by winning the 1991 PGA Championship as the ninth alternate — blasting drives that seemed to defy physics. Four years later, he added the British Open to his résumé.

But Daly’s story has never been just about golf. He’s been a symbol of excess, known for chain-smoking, gambling binges, and openly clashing with the buttoned-up traditions of the sport. He once admitted losing $50 million gambling. He has also battled alcoholism, health scares, and financial troubles — all while remaining a fan favorite for his honesty and unpredictability.

“I am who I am,” Daly once said. “I never pretended to be perfect.”

In an era when President Trump is back in the White House and often golfing himself, Daly’s struggles feel symbolic. Trump famously awarded Daly the Presidential Medal of Freedom in his first term, calling him “a true American original.” The two have even golfed together.

Critics say Daly’s latest meltdown, complete with water balls and endless penalties, highlights what happens when bravado outpaces discipline. “It’s almost a metaphor for the country right now — reckless swings with no plan,” one golf writer quipped.

Still, Daly’s fans remain loyal. They see him as an everyman who never hides his flaws. One Sioux Falls spectator summed it up: “John might shoot a 19, but at least he’s real. That’s why we still love him.”

Daly’s 19 strokes won’t officially set a record — Tommy Armour’s 23-shot disaster at the 1927 Shawnee Open still holds that dubious honor. But in the age of viral clips and endless memes, Daly’s implosion may live far longer in the public imagination.

The only question now: will Daly bounce back on Day 2, or will this meltdown be remembered as the final, painful chapter of a once-brilliant career?