John Daly, a fan favorite at tournaments around the world, today announced his intentions to play the 2011 Reno-Tahoe Open at Montrêux, Aug. 1 – 7. The two-time major championship winner known for his astoundingly long drives, has won five times on the PGA TOUR highlighted by victories at the 1991 PGA Championship and 1994 British Open. Daly is the second player to commit to the Reno-Tahoe Open in the last week, joining Mike Weir. This is Daly’s fifth visit to the Reno-Tahoe Open after playing Montrêux from 1999-2001 and again in 2003.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome John Daly to the Reno-Tahoe Open for the first time in eight years,” said Jana Smoley, executive director of the Reno-Tahoe Open. “He has been a crowd favorite worldwide since winning the 1991 PGA Championship and I know our fans will be excited to see him play Montrêux. I know there will be a fortunate pro-am group who will have the opportunity to play alongside John and we couldn’t be more pleased to make this announcement.”
Daly burst on to the PGA TOUR in 1991 when he won his first major championship at the 73rd PGA Championship in Carmel, Indiana. As the ninth alternate, qualifying only after several players withdrew from the tournament, Daly went on to win by three strokes over Bruce Lietzke. His long list of achievements also includes being named 1991 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and becoming the fourth American since World War II to win two majors before turning 30, joining the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Johnny Miller.
Daly has made three cuts on the PGA TOUR in 2011 with his best result, a T38, coming last week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. He has played a total of 458 PGA TOUR events in his career and thanks to a T56 PGA TOUR power rating and a 27th place driving distance; he should be well-served on Montrêux’s lengthy mountain fairways, which average more than 400 yards per hole, third longest on the PGA TOUR.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the Reno-Tahoe Open this summer,” said Daly. “The crowds are great and the weather is great and I’m anticipating some positive changes in play with Montrêux’s new layout and its final three holes. Even though this is my fifth time in Reno, it’s definitely going to be a new experience out on that course this year.”
For more information on the 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open at Montrêux, including ticket sales, vacation packages, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.RenoTahoeOpen.com or contact the tournament office at 775-322-3900.
The 13th annual Reno-Tahoe Open at Montrêux, an official PGA TOUR event, takes place Aug. 1 – 7, 2011 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev. The tournament is a full-field stop during the PGA TOUR Regular Season and is part of the FedExCup series, a points competition for PGA TOUR professionals. The internationally-televised tournament brings in millions of dollars in coverage for the Reno-Tahoe region through its affiliation with The Golf Channel as it follows 132 PGA TOUR professionals competing for a share of the tournament’s $3 million purse. The Reno-Tahoe Open is operated and managed by the Reno-Tahoe Open Foundation, comprised of key sponsors including Eldorado Hotel Reno, Montrêux Development Group and NV Energy.
