John Daly can’t help but be frustrated by the state of his game, which culminated in his comments to a Golf Channel producer about quitting tournament golf following his exit from last week’s tournament after failing again to survive the second-round cut.

All golfers have felt like chucking their clubs in the lagoon. There are those days when there is no enjoyment in the game. But, the drive home usually puts things in perspective and gets the juices flowing for the next time.

Extend the frustration of one day to a few years and it’s a freaking miracle Daly hasn’t vented before, other than a down-under club toss or two.

And a pretty honest and graceful vent it was, actually. "I can't compete. I can't play like I used to. I can't keep taking spots from guys out here playing this bad. It's not worth it. I'm tired of embarrassing myself. I can't do it anymore."

Classy stuff, unlike Scott McCarron. Lambasting a fellow pro over the shape of some grooves on a club face (Grandfathered in and still legal by the way, Scott .... since when is being legal cheating?) while another competitor struggles with his life is inappropriate and stupid-headed.  

A few days to calm the head, and it looks like Daly will be in attendance at Pebble Beach. That’s good. For sure the propect of hefty alimony bills without that Loudmouth contract is a factor. And “Being John Daly” would be a fizzle if he was bagging groceries at Piggly-Wiggly.   

And yet, turn the view of his golf life around a bit and it becomes clear that this is one fellow who stills burns to excel. The unrecognizable body, the continuing progress against personal demons, and the willingness to put the hurt out there in public view speak to a man whose resolve is strong. Maybe the heady days of major victories are done. But, not to try is to regret down the road.

I hope that Pebble Beach is the start of something positive for John Daly. He’s worked hard for it. Sometimes, you need back yourself into a corner before the true grit comes out.