Inside John Daly’s week-long party at Hooters as ‘Wild Thing’ enjoys Augusta

EVERY year, without fail, John Daly is at the Masters.

But, he is not playing at Augusta – and hasn’t since 2006. He is doing something else he is brilliant at. Party.

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For ‘Wild Thing’, as he is known for his love of vices including smoking, drinking and women, has made a guest appearance at the local Hooters there – famous for scantily-clad waitresses serving up piping hot chicken wings – for the past 26 years.

Daly has been a brand ambassador for the restaurant chain, ever since he was handed a lifetime ‘black card’ that entitled him to free grub.

His first purchase with it, was to buy the whole bar a beer for attending.

You may have seen Daly sporting a pair of bright orange trousers at St Andrews last year, while puffing on a cigarette.

And this year, nothing seems to have changed – except perhaps for Daly’s appearance.

Sporting a huge beard and perhaps a bigger belly, looking like a ZZ Top tribute act, Daly is all smiles as he welcomes patrons and poses for photos.

Even the waitresses are in on the act – grabbing a photo op with the notorious ladies man (married four times) and smiling gleefully.

Then there’s the merch.

Signed Augusta flags are the most popular – with over 1,000 signed a day by the great man.

Trucker caps and T-shirts with various slogans on, including his famous “Grip It and Rip It” catchphrase.

There’s a John F—— Daly” driver headcover.

And, rather splendidly, there are autographed photos of Daly attempting to smash a ball of a railway line with a can of beer on the track.

Incredibly, fans queue from 11am down Washington Road to catch a glimpse of the star attraction.

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For eight hours a day, Daly obliges by signing everything that’s thrown at him.

Once, a woman passed him a black marker pen, pulled her pants down, and thrust her backside in his direction.

“I love my life,” he exclaimed.

Last year, when the week was out – Daly shunned his fellow golfers.

Instead, he drove to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach for a Hootie and the Blowfish concert.

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Amusingly, he joined the band on stage for a rendition of the Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – popularised further by rockers Guns N’ Roses.

But forget Axl Rose. Daly is only the rock star around when the Masters kicks off.