John Daly to Tiger: Go Play Golf

(CBS)  Fellow PGA golfer John Daly has a simple piece of advice for Tiger Woods: "Go out and play golf."

Daly, appearing on CBS' "The Early Show" Friday said Woods needs to surround himself with people who support him - his coach, his agent, his caddy.

It's been almost three weeks since Woods crashed his SUV into a tree outside his Florida home, and reports of several extramarital affairs, which he admitted to last week, and has yet to be seen in public.

"After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf," Woods said on his Web site. "I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person."

Woods estimated fortune hit the billion dollar mark this past September and given the numerous accusations of infidelity - he could lose a large chunk of it if Elin indeed leaves for good, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor.

Daly, who is currently going through his third divorce, said he has tried to reach Woods and "he just didn't want to talk to anybody."

"I feel if there is anybody in this world who could give him some advice ..." Daly told the Associated Press last week in Australia. "I hope we get him back soon. They always say there is no one bigger in golf than the game itself. But Tiger is."

He told "The Early Show" that if he had been in Woods' situation, he would have made a statement earlier to the press, but believes Woods is "getting good advice."

Daly added, "I won't bug him … but he can call me."

As for the other golfers on the tour, Daly believed most want Woods back as soon as possible. We should "support the man who has elevated our tour for the past decade."

Meanwhile, PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem told CBS News Thursday that he supports Tiger Woods' decision to take a break from the PGA.

"If he's out for an extended period of time, we're going to have a solid year," Finchem said. "We're going to have a solid year. It's going to allow other players to become stars, so we're really healthy, and we're going to be healthy."

But, he added, "there's no question we're going to miss the presence of the number one athlete on the globe." "Tiger spikes the ratings when he plays."

About Tiger's troubles , Finchem said, "he's gotta deal with these issues effectively - and then deal with the fans."

"I want him back. Don't get me wrong, don't want to sugarcoat this, I want him back, we all want him back. He makes our sport healtheir, he makes our sport grow," Finchem told CBS News. "But as he's out, we'll be healthy."

Additional Coverage of the Tiger Woods Scandal:
PGA Head: We'll Be "Healthy" Without Tiger
Report: Tiger's Dad Cheated, Too
Sources: Elin Done with Tiger
Tiger Woods Voted AP Athlete of Decade
Source: Tiger Doc Drug Link a "Stretch"
World Follows Tiger's Scandal Saga
Woods Shuts out Famous Friends
Woods' Wife Seen without Wedding Ring
Woods Leaves PGA in Economic Limbo
Gillette Shaves Tiger Woods From Its Ads

[PR_in_Alabama]

What is the friking problem? the women gave Tiger their cuchy and he help them out.....

Is this issue making Tiger a less skilled golfer? I don't think so...You go Tiger....

[drthvader]

I agree Tiger is still the best golfer out there. He has been GOLF. He's the reason so many people discovered the 'elite' sport of golf.
Go Tiger!

[charlie6670]

I mean women..

[charlie6670]

A good golfer is never a fella who thinks about golf.

[charlie6670]

Its the game'a golf. I've always done better not thinking about it.. Not even setting myself up. Just walking up to the tee and.. whamola. Its the only sport where the longer ya think about things, the worse you do.

[wuzzup3]

Daly should leave the psychoanalysis to Dr. Phil and Oprah. What's right for him may not be right for others. He's such a hillbilly, he can't understand this!

Tiger is not returning calls and texts because he knows he's going to see it plastered all over the internet, 15 minutes after he's said it! In the case of the self serving JD, it will take less than 10! Stay out of other people's business, John, and try working on your golf game!

[bubbadubba]

<<by LiftingSkirts December 18, 2009 11:04 AM EST
At least Daly knows who and what he is...Tigger is a mess.>>

Ok, I'll give you that one. Good point.

[bubbadubba]

Daly looks great doesn't he?
What a pro.

[CommentMaker]

Right or wrong, everyone has to recover the way they know to do. He knows how he has to do it because he does it when he has a bad day at golf. This is just a little out of his reach at this time. When reality hits he will begin the process of coping and blending his game with it. He'll be back in his own time. Remember, he is still falling right now and has not hit bottom.

[bundye]

Tiger, go play goff. People are not going to leave you alone, and when you stop focusing on what "they" are saying and doing, you will be able to focus on you and what you need or want to do. May God bless you in what you decide to do, with His help. You can't do anything without Him. Remember that.

[nomostew]

If nobody's noticed, Daly has been pulling himself together lately, and he's advising Woods to do things differently than Daly did originally. There aren't many people with experience at anything like what Woods is going through, and Daly is one of the few who has come close. Yep, Woods is through with the role model sports hero thing, but he can still play. Might as well do what he still does best. It's not like he really needs to work on his marriage anymore.