John Daly's $500 claret jug tops golf auction, attracts bids over $60,000
John Daly's Claret Jug is up for auction and has crossed a bid of over $60,000. The American golfer, widely known for his unusual drinking and smoking habits on the greens, has won two Majors in his career. His maiden major win came in 1991 at the PGA Championship, followed by a victory at the Open Championship in 1995.
On November 7, the Golden Age Auction revealed a new golf collection for auction. This auction, which will run through November 17, has some impressive golf memorabilia, including John Daly's 1995 Claret Jug replica. The original bid for the trophy started at $500 and has currently crossed over $60,000.
Notably, winners of the Open Championship are awarded the Claret Jug, which they return the following year, passing it on to the next champion. However, players are allowed to keep a replica of the Claret Jug permanently.
This auction also includes other impressive golf memorabilia, such as Jack Nicklaus's personal golf ball and glove used to win the 1972 Masters, Phil Mickelson's winning 18th-hole golf ball from the 2005 PGA Championship, and a Tiger Woods signed 2019 Masters Invitation (PSA).
Additionally, a PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy is up for auction, though no golfer's name has been mentioned with it on the website. The bid for this trophy started at $500 and currently stands at $2,092.
Another notable item is Rocco Mediate's 2008 U.S. Open silver medal, with a starting bid of $500, now at $4,484. Mediate competed in a historic 18-hole playoff at the 2008 Major against legendary golfer Tiger Woods. It was a dramatic event filled with suspense, as even after 18 holes, Woods and Mediate finished in a tie, leading to a sudden-death playoff where Woods ultimately secured the win.
John Daly's dramatic playoff victory at the 1995 Open Championship
Daly's second Major win at the Open Championship was nothing short of suspenseful drama. He shot four rounds of 67, 71, 73, and 71, finishing in a tie with Costantino Rocca. The two headed to a four-hole playoff, with Daly ultimately securing the win by four strokes.
On the first hole of the playoff at St. Andrews, Daly made a par while Rocca made a bogey. On the second hole, Daly carded a birdie while Rocca made par, giving the American golfer a two-stroke lead in the playoff.
Over the next two holes, John Daly made par, while Rocca struggled on the third playoff hole, which they played on the 17th at St. Andrews. Rocca shot a triple bogey but managed to add a birdie on the final playoff hole.
John Daly turned professional in 1987 and has won 19 tournaments so far, with five victories in PGA Tour events, three on the European Tour, and the remaining wins came on various golf series, including the Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour, and Korn Ferry Tour.