Daly's Technicolor dreamcoat sets sartorial tone

Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:45pm GMT

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By Tom Pilcher

ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - If former Open champion John Daly's Technicolor dreamcoat that had spectators clambering over one another for a glimpse is anything to go by then this week's British Open could be a sight for sore eyes.

Daly, the winner here in 1995, was the talk of the champions dinner when he sported a luminous green and orange jacket, in a refreshing contrast to the sober-suited likes of Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson posing for a photo in front of the 18th green as the sun set on the Old Course.

Add to that the Royal and Ancient's relaxed stance at the prospect of Sergio Garcia playing in a Spain soccer shirt to celebrate their World Cup win then the times appear to be changing for a sport often regarded the most stuffy.

"It would be churlish to object, wouldn't it, given their great win. I personally have no objections to it whatsoever," the R&A's chief executive Peter Dawson told a news conference as driving rain battered the media tent on Wednesday.

Daly has long been the most colourful player on the tour, and he and his girlfriend were sporting equally eyecatching matching harlequin-style trousers for a practice round earlier in the week.

Dawson was all in favour of Daly's eccentricities even after enjoying his sartorial taste at rather too close quarters.

"I was sitting opposite him at dinner, so I had it all night, and my eyesight survived," he joked.

Technology and not just modern fashion have been preoccupying members at the R&A Golf Club, founded in 1754. Continued...

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<p>Past winners of the British Open golf championship pose in front of the clubhouse on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 13, 2010. From front row (L-R) are Roberto De Vicenzo of Argentina, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson of the U.S., and back row (L-R) are Padraig Harrington of Ireland, and John Daly, Tiger Woods and Bill Rogers of the U.S. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn</p>

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