Daly Decides to Return to Tournament Action Earlier Than Expected

(John Daly, Loudmouth Pants and all, expects to play in the

PGA TOUR's Viking Classic, starting October 29th)

Ever since withdrawing from this year's PGA Championship, John Daly has not played competitive golf. However, that is all about to change in a little less than two weeks.

During the last couple months, Daly has been recovering from a rib injury he first sustained at the 2007 Honda Classic. Daly's quick recovery is mainly due to stem cell surgery, allowing him to play three professional tournaments around the world before the beginning of 2010.

Along with the PGA TOUR's Viking Classic at Annandale Golf Course in Madison, Mississippi, Daly is also expected to play in both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship in December.

Two-time PGA TOUR winner Will MacKenzie hopes to successfully defend the Viking Classic, which begins on October 29th. Daly has played in the Viking Classic six times during his career, including the last three years. Last year, Daly finished T-40th in the event.

In the meantime, Daly's play in last year's Australian Open was rather controversial after he threw a spectator's camera against a tree during tournament play. The spectator was supposedly taking pictures of Daly continuously even after Daly asked him to stop. During the three tournaments he played in Australia, Daly missed the cut three times. He will hope to improve his record in Australia this year.

Daly will play in the Australian Open from December 3rd - 6th at the New South Wales Golf Club at La Perouse in Sydney and in the Australian PGA Championship the following week at the Hyatt Regency Coolum Course in Queensland.

According to Viking Classic tournament director Randy Watkins, Daly was added to the Viking Classic field for various reasons despite not having full-time status on the PGA TOUR for the past three seasons.

"John has been a loyal participant here," said Watkins. "People want to see John Daly play...I want people to come watch golf and, right now, John Daly is a bigger draw than anybody."

John Daly's Conclusion to 2009 Season

~ Viking Classic - October 29th - November 1st

~ Australian Open - December 3rd - 6th

~ Australian PGA Championship - December 10th - 13th