LOS ANGELES - Two-time major champion John Daly brought his unique brand of golf to the Champions circuit for the first time on Friday -- and said he was surprised at just how well it went.
John Daly hits a tee shot on the third hole during the first round of the Insperity Championship at The Woodlands Country Club on May 06, 2016 in Texas
The American, whose out-sized personality and mammoth drives have made him a fan favorite, turned 50 on April 28, and made his debut on the PGA Tour Champions series for the 50 and overs at the Insperity Invitational in Woodlands, Texas, near Houston.
Fuzzy Zoeller, who once vowed to give the hard-living Daly $150,000 if he made it to 50 years of age, played alongside Daly and Peter Jacobsen.
The first 1,000 spectators to arrive at the course received Daly bobblehead dolls to commemorate the event and the group were followed all day by a massive gallery.
Daly marked the occasion with red and turquoise trousers, firing a two under 70 that left him tied for 12th, four shots behind first-round leader Mike Goodes.
Daly said his game was "really solid" admitting he had expected some rust after playing just twice this year.
"I didn't shoot myself out of the tournament," he said, admitting he felt rookie nerves.
"It was like starting all over," Daly said. "The nerves were good, but it's cool coming out here and having positive nerves, and I just fed off Fuzzy and Jake. You know, I couldn't have asked to play with two better people. For my first round on the Champions Tour, we just had a blast."