GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) John Daly's campaign to stay sober is in its 13th month, and his golf game has yet to come around.

"It has been very, very difficult," he said. ``Everything is a whole new feeling. Like today, if I was still doing what I did I would be out in a short sleeve shirt and I wouldn't be cold at all."

Golf's biggest hitter spoke Wednesday while preparing in 50-degree temperatures for the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. In 1991, he played the Skins Games in short sleeves on windy, 38-degree day.

"Besides feeling little aches and pains in the morning and being cold, it's just a better feel," Daly said of being sober. "It has just been taking a long time to master it, it's like starting all over again."

Daly's late-night drinking binge at the March 1997 Players Championship in Florida sent him into alcoholic rehabilitation and cost him half of last season.

Daly, one of golf's most popular and recognizable players, was faced with changing his lifestyle of giving up the game.

"I wake up at 4:30 or 5 o'clock in the morning now when I used to get in at that time," said Daly, who won the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open. "It definitely is a different way of life, but I know it's a better one."

Daly, who turns 32 on Tuesday, hasn't won on the PGA Tour since that British Open. However, victories are a distant second to his battle with alcoholism.

"It would be nice," Daly said when asked about winning. ``But I am just hungry to play and be as competitive as I possibly can. I still am not expecting a whole lot. I have accomplished a lot of goals this year that I never really felt I could, like coming back."

There are signs that Daly's game is rounding into form. He's again No. 1 on the PGA Tour in driving distance at 298 yards and is tied for the top spot in putting.

"It means a lot to me, it means maybe I do putt better when I'm sober," Daly said. "A lot of people say you are going to see the lines a lot better, a little more clearer, everything in your life will be a little more clearer. Maybe that's it."

Daly said he attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings about three times a week when he's on the road playing, often scanning the Yellow Pages to find group sessions.

"The biggest change I've made is just surrounding myself with really good people," Daly said. "Just talking to people, even if I'm a good mood. It's still nice to talk to somebody who is a close friend or somebody who has a problem. Maybe I can help them.

"It's just a big circle that we all work together in. It's just some very honest people in this program. That's kind of the way I wish life was, really."

Daly has returned to Forest Oaks Country Club for the first time since 1994. That year he was remembered more for his 324-yard carry over water at the par-5 No. 13 hole than his score.

Daly used a sand wedge for his second shot to that 521-yard hole but still finished with rounds of 78 and 84 and missed the cut.

"I probably won't be trying that this year," he said.

With two top-four finishes this season, Daly could have a shot at winning this week, considering the weak field. Only three of golf's top 20 in the world rankings are entered.

"The golf course plays very long," Daly said. ``And it's kind of the new way I'm living my life. It might be good to be back here and give it a shot and see what happens."