Daly spent a 2½-hour rain delay during the first round in a Hooters corporate tent behind the 17th green at Innisbrook. He was 3 over, and when play resumed, he had Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden caddie for him the rest of the day. After missing the cut with rounds of 77-80, Daly spent Saturday at the Hooters “Owl’s Nest” next to the 17th hole, drinking beer, mingling with fans and signing autographs, including one on the back of a woman’s pants.

“I just wish Butch had called me before getting slapped in the face,” Daly said. “I love Butch to death. I still think he’s the greatest coach out there. I just told him, 'Don’t always believe what you read in the paper.’ I texted him, 'All I wish you’d done is call me.’ It was a shock to me.”

As for his escapade at the Owl’s Nest?

Daly said he thought he was doing the tournament a favor by drumming up business at the raucous tent.

“I signed about a thousand hats,” Daly said. “I love Hooters. I had a few beers and some chicken wings. It was Saturday. I wasn’t even playing in the tournament.”

Daly has been on a downward spiral since losing a playoff to Tiger Woods in 2005 at Harding Park in a World Golf Championship event. He injured his ribs last year at the Honda Classic when he tried to stop his powerful swing upon hearing the click of a fan’s camera, and Daly recently said he was contemplating a lawsuit against the tournament, which gave him a sponsor’s exemption.

“My life is upside-down right now,” Daly said. “No matter what I do, it’s wrong. I’m thinking of writing a new song. I’ll call it, 'I guess it’s my fault, even when it’s not my fault.”’

Daly said he played Tuesday at a nearby course with Robert Gamez, who helped sort out his putting problems.

“I was looking forward to a great week,” Daly said. “I’ve always had great success at Bay Hill. I usually don’t ever miss the cut. I called Arnold, and said he feels just as bad about it. I saw him Monday and he gave me a big ol’ hug and said, ’Thanks for being here.”’

Success at Bay Hill is in the eye of the Wild Thing.

Daly has played 14 times at Palmer’s event, and his best finish is a tie for 10th. He has missed the cut three times, and four times shot in the 80s in the final round. One of those scores came in 1998, when Daly hit six balls in the water on the par-5 sixth and made an 18.

“I hope things get better,” Phil Mickelson said. “I think we all do.”

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