Controversial two-time major-winner John Daly will play next week's Hong Kong Open as he bids to rescue his troubled career, it was announced on Wednesday.

Daly, who has plunged to 783 in the rankings and recently spent a night in jail after a drinking binge at a Hooters restaurant, said he was keen to reverse the slide.

"All I can do is control my effort and attitude. If I can do this, I hope it will be enough to turn things around," he said.

Daly, 42, played the $2.5-million Hong Kong Open's 1998 edition, seven years after his shock 1991 US PGA Championship win when he started as ninth alternate. He also won the British Open in 1995.

Known as 'Wild Thing' and 'Long John' for his raucous lifestyle and huge drives, the American joins fellow major champions Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal, Michael Campbell and Paul Lawrie in Hong Kong.

"I'm looking to play well and get my 2009 season off to a good start," said Daly. "I've been working hard on my game and I had a few good rounds at the end of the US season. I'm looking to gain more consistency."

Daly has long struggled with his weight and injuries and is also going through a messy divorce from his fourth wife.

He earned headlines in March when he was kicked out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational for missing his pro-am tee-off time, a day after parting company with celebrated swing coach Butch Harmon.

Daly later complained bitterly at Harmon's comments that he preferred drinking to playing golf.

"I think his lies kind of destroyed my life for a little bit," Daly said.

AFP

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