Daly on defence after Australia walk-off

01 Dec 2011 02:10:30

American golfer John Daly has defended himself after receiving criticism for his ignominious exit from the Australian Open.

Daly, 45, hit six balls into the water on the 11th hole of his first round at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney and walked off the course as a result, claiming he had run out of balls.

That excuse was not accepted by the Australian PGA, who quickly cancelled his invitation to the PGA Championship as a result.

It was not the first controversy in Australia for Daly, who threw a fan's camera against a tree during the 2008 Australian Open.

"I accept if you look at my past competing in Australia that the way I was treated was not harsh, but if they were to have looked at really what went on at the 10th hole then it was harsh," Daly said before going on to explain an incident in which he was penalised for hitting the incorrect ball.

"I had found the bunker with my tee shot and then when I got up there I hit a great bunker shot, and when I threw my caddy the ball to wipe it, I find it's not my ball. Then on the 11th it was my ego that got in the way and I thought we had plenty of golf balls."

"But the question I keep asking is what were range balls doing in the bunkers out on the championship golf course? When I got to the bunker I thought it was my ball. I'm using Srixon balls and the balls on the range were also Srixon."

"Everybody complimented me saying 'great shot' but when I get up there my caddy wiped the ball and threw it back to me but it wasn't my ball. So I go from making three there on that hole to a seven."

Daly, who is competing at this week's Hong Kong Open, denied reports that he 'stormed off' the course, claiming that the media had exaggerated his exit.

He also refused to rule out a return to Australia in the future.

"What hurts me is that it was then reported I stormed off," he said.

"Well, I never stormed off. I just walked back to the clubhouse."

"I didn't get banned from Australia but I really don't know what is going to happen in the future."