Report: John Daly defends charity lawsuit

Published Jun. 14, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Hefty professional golfer John Daly defended Monday his decision to seek $100 million from a children’s charity, among other defendants, for a 2007 injury at a Florida charity tournament, the Palm Beach Post reported.

The 44-year old golfer, whose money troubles are such that he often tweets about signing merchandise for cash in rural Mississippi, filed the suit two years ago after a woman jumped in front of him mid-swing at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, the report said. He required “injection surgery” to stop his ribs from “popping out” during golf swings, according to the lawsuit.

“Every effort was made not to bring in the charity,” William DiPetrillo, Daly’s Fort Lauderdale attorney, told the paper, referring to the Children’s Healthcare Charity.

But the insurance carrier for the PGA National Resort, where the tournament was held, insisted the suit target the charity, along with the PGA tour, DiPetrillo said.

The three defendants proposed an “insulting” settlement of $25,000, the lawyer said, adding that Daly might be willing to settle for as little as $25 million.

“[Daly] suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical treatment, loss of earnings [and] loss of ability to earn money,” the lawsuit reads.

“Even if he is no longer a top star on the tour, John still makes a lot of money,” DiPetrillo noted.

The golfer blames the injury for his absence at several subsequent tournaments.