John Daly is a two-time major golf champion, but his fortune hasn’t held up the way fans might expect. Years of high-stakes gambling, expensive divorces, and a chaotic lifestyle have drained a large part of what Daly earned. He’s admitted it himself—his net worth today could’ve been much higher.
Known for his booming drives and rebel image, Daly doesn’t fit the country club mold. His long backswing, unpredictable play, and bold personality made him stand out from the start.
He shocked the world by winning the 1991 PGA Championship as an alternate, then backed it up with another major title at the 1995 Open Championship after a playoff against Costantino Rocca. His success stretched beyond the U.S., with wins in South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Germany, Turkey, South Korea, and even Swaziland.
Now 59, Daly is still in the spotlight—this time in Hollywood. In Happy Gilmore 2, he played a lead role as Happy Gilmore’s older brother, serving as a mentor and emotional anchor for the title character. The film portrays Happy as a washed-up golfer dealing with personal tragedy, including the death of his wife.
From wild fashion to off-course antics, Daly remains one of golf’s most eccentric stars. But with everything he’s lost, many still wonder—how much is his wealth really worth today?
How Much Is John Daly’s Net Worth in 2025?
Daly made tens of millions during his prime, but years of financial setbacks have left his current fortune far below what it once was. Tournament winnings, endorsements, side ventures—none of it was enough to outrun the losses that came with gambling, divorce, and a hard-living lifestyle.
As of 2025, Daly has a net worth of at least $2 million.
Over the years, the golf legend earned about $12 million in prize money from official and unofficial events. Some of his best years include the 2004 PGA season, when he earned roughly $2.4 million, and 2005, which brought in around $1.8 million from PGA events and $454,000 from the European Tour.
He also cashed in big during the 2001 season, with close to $829,000 on the PGA side and more than $650,000 from Europe. Even in later years, like 2012, he pulled in over $260,000 on the European Tour.
But Daly didn’t just rely on golf for income. He landed deals with brands like Loudmouth Golf and Rock Bottom Golf. He even had his own wine label, John Daly Wines, though that venture eventually shut down.
His business portfolio includes JD Designs, a golf course design firm that has worked on projects in California, Arkansas, Missouri, Canada, and Ireland.
Daly also dipped into entertainment. He released two music albums, appeared in Prostroke Golf, and became a character in both Golden Tee and Everybody’s Golf.
How Much Did He Lose on Gambling?
Daly has never shied away from talking about his gambling problem. In his 2006 autobiography, he opened up about just how deep it went—and how much it cost him.
Between 1991 and 2007, Daly estimated his gambling losses totaled somewhere between $50 million and $57 million. He once calculated that he had lost around $90 million overall but had won back roughly $35 million, leaving him with a net loss of about $55 million. Most of it, he said, was lost on slot machines and blackjack—often in Las Vegas.
One of his most infamous losses came shortly after a playoff defeat to Tiger Woods in 2005. That night, Daly walked into a casino and lost $1.65 million in just five hours.
His gambling addiction drained more than just his bank account—it also led to legal trouble. In 2005, Daly filed a libel suit against the Florida Times-Union after a columnist called him a “scoundrel.”
The case didn’t go his way. In 2009, a judge dismissed the lawsuit and ordered Daly to pay over $300,000 to cover the newspaper’s legal fees.
Real Estate
Daly owns a waterfront home on Palm Island in Clearwater, Florida, valued at over $1.4 million. The three-bedroom, two-bath property suffered major damage in October 2024 when Hurricane Helene swept through the area.
He described it to the New York Post as a “total loss and devastation,” though the home still remains under his name.
As of now, Daly primarily resides in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
Divorces
John has been married four times. His first marriage to hand model Dale Crafton ended in 1990.
He later married Bettye Fulford in 1992, with whom he had a daughter, but the relationship ended after a domestic incident that didn’t result in charges.
His third wife, Paulette Dean, gave birth to another daughter before they split in 1999. Daly’s fourth marriage to Sherrie Miller was the most turbulent, marked by a violent altercation, her later drug conviction, and a long custody battle. In 2010, Daly was granted full custody of their son.
While exact settlement amounts are unknown, Daly has reportedly lost a significant sum across these divorces.
