John Daly Receives Unexpected Flowers from Rival Phil Mickelson as Son Carries on Family Legacy

“How do you get into this guy’s head?” Grant Horvat asked Phil Mickelson about facing John Daly before the thrilling 2v2 match. Mickelson turned to young John Daly II for insight. The response? “I’ve been trying to figure that out for a very long time.” Everyone burst into laughter. Despite their contrasting styles – Mickelson’s calculated precision versus Daly’s grip-it-and-rip-it approach – their relationship has evolved beyond competition, into mutual respect and genuine camaraderie. This evolution was on full display recently when the next generation entered the spotlight.

Recently, John Daly II, the 21-year-old University of Arkansas golfer, claimed his first collegiate victory at the Columbia Spring Invitational. Young Daly secured the win with an impressive one-under-par performance, including two eagles and five birdies throughout the 36-hole tournament. After tying with two other competitors, he clinched the title through a scorecard playoff, continuing the Daly legacy on collegiate greens. Lefty wasted no time congratulating the young golfer on social media.

“That’s awesome. Great playing and congratulations on your first win!” Mickelson wrote in response to the PGA Tour’s announcement. He couldn’t resist adding a playful jab: “(It sure wasn’t happening against Grant and me :)”  Mickelson recently played 18 holes with John Daly and his son for the second episode of his 2v2 Series on YouTube. Lefty, paired with Grant Hovart, won. It was a fun video featuring plenty of trash talk and memorable moments. Daly even used a drink can as a tee while smoking a cigarette.

This friendly interaction might surprise golf fans who are familiar with Daly-Mickelson’s history. Their relationship spans decades of contrasting styles and occasional competitive tensions. Mickelson, a six-time major champion known for his technical brilliance and creative shot-making, has amassed 45 PGA Tour victories throughout his meticulous career. Daly, meanwhile, burst onto the scene as golf’s ultimate maverick with his shocking 1991 PGA Championship win as a ninth alternate, becoming famous for his 300-yard drives and unapologetically authentic approach to the game.