John Daly II credits attitude shift for strong collegiate golf season

John Daly II has credited an attitude shift for his strong season in collegiate golf. The emerging golfer said he decided to have fun, and this mindset helped him gain more success.

John Daly II and his dad, John Daly, are in Orlando for the PNC Championship 2025. The duo is off to a great start and is tied for second after shooting a 13-under 59 on Day 1.

During the post-round interview, Daly II was asked about his great season in amateur golf.

"Just my attitude has gotten a little better and just not really caring. Just going out there and having fun," he said. "At the end of the day golf doesn't define me. Just happy to be able to play every day and go out there and have fun."

The 22-year-old golfer claimed nine top-ten results in 2025 and registered wins at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational and the Southern Amateur Championship. He also made a second-place finish at the Bearcat Invitational.

Speaking of the PNC Championship, Team Daly is in a good position yet again this season. The duo is looking to register their second win at the event after their first triumph in 2021.

Team Daly is paired alongside the leaders, Team Kuchar, for the final round of the PNC Championship. The duo will tee off on Sunday, December 21, at 11:27 am ET.

Here's a look at the tee time details for the PNC Championship, Round 2 (all times ET):

• 9:30 am: Team Trevino, Team Furyk
• 9:43 am: Team Cink, Team Lehman
• 9:56 am: Team Immelman, Team Couples
• 10:09 am: Team Harrington, Team O’Meara
• 10:22 am: Team Price, Team Singh
• 10:35 am: Team Langer, Team Duval
• 10:48 am: Team Annika, Team Woodland
• 11:01 am: Team Korda, Team Leonard
• 11:14 am: Team Love, Team Stricker
• 11:27 am: Team Kuchar, Team Daly

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John Daly II's performance in 2025 explored

Here's a look at John Daly II's performance in 2025:

• Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational: T27
• The Blessings Collegiate Invitational: 1st
• The Bearcat Invitational: 2nd
• The Carmel Cup: T19
• U.S. Amateur Championship: T5
• The Western Amateur Championship: T45
• Southern Amateur Championship: 1st
• Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship: T15
• Northeast Amateur Invitational: 3rd
• Arkansas Amateur Championship: T12
• NCAA Amherst Regional: T46
• SEC Men’s Golf Championship (Stroke Play): T57
• Lewis Chitengwa Memorial: T8
• Valspar Intercollegiate Invitational: T37
• Seminole Intercollegiate: T34
• Cabo Collegiate: T32
• Palmas del Mar Collegiate: T4
• New Year’s Invitational: T4
• Orlando International Amateur Championship: T6

Edited by Shobhit Kukreti