Daly rips former coach Harmon, blames him for personal problems

"I think it's another case of John never wanting to look in the mirror and take responsibility for his actions. He is always looking to blame someone else."

Harmon agreed to take on Daly as a client in the offseason, adding him to a roster that includes Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Ernie Els and Stewart Cink, all ranked in the world top six. But the agreement was conditional. Harmon made it clear that Daly needed to behave himself and dedicate himself to rekindling his game. Daly hasn't finished in the top 125 in earnings since 2005.

Daly blew his chance in a matter of weeks. When the two spoke about it afterward, Daly said that Harmon had promised to "retract" his comments about Daly's excessive drinking, but Harmon flatly insisted otherwise.

Daly repeated that claim at Birkale. Harmon calmly produced his cellphone from his pocket and displayed a text message he'd sent Daly on April 30.

"I never said I would retract anything," Harmon said. "I told him I was sorry he was having problems with his life and that I hoped that he could get himself squared away. He still has the ability to play golf.

"All I have tried to do is help John, like so many other people have, and it's sad that he feels that way. But you have to look at John and his life and the way it's gone. Until he steps up to the plate and can blame himself for his shortcomings, he's always going to have a problem. He is always looking to blame someone else."

Of all the counsel Daly has received, it seemed possible that Harmon, who helped coach Tiger Woods to the top of the world rankings, might rate as a reasonable, singular voice to acknowledge. Instead, he's just become part of the chorus.

"I tried to explain that to him, 'I said look, I have been down the road you have been down.'" Harmon said. "'All it takes is you getting your head together.' Until he does that, he is going to have problems."

Harmon took the news calmly and shrugged off Daly's implied threat. He said he said hello to Daly on Tuesday and asked how he was doing and that Daly never indicated he felt betrayed.

"I will talk to John, but I will do it in private," Harmon said.