John Daly In Hospital After Collapsing On Course

Former golf major champion John Daly is being treated in hospital after he collapsed while playing in a minor tournament in the US.

The 49-year-old, who won the PGA Championship in 1991 and the Open Championship in 1995, had difficulty breathing while playing at Deerfield Golf Club in Jackson, Mississippi.

His friend, Billy Allen, went with him to the hospital and said Daly's vital signs were good, but doctors were checking on possible injuries to his ribs and fingers.

Leigh Brannan, the professional at Deerfield, said the two-time major champion was having trouble with the heat and had difficult breathing before he was taken to hospital.

Temperatures were near 32C (90F) at the time of his collapse.

Mr Brannan said: "He was struggling pretty badly right before he collapsed. But we're all hoping it's nothing serious and that he was just a little dehydrated.

"He was even telling (Allen) he still wants to play (Sunday)."

Daly has enjoyed a colourful career on the PGA Tour.

Earlier this month, he threw his 6 iron into a lake during the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, after hitting three consecutive shots into the water.

In 2008, he was given a suspended fine by Golf Australia after breaking a spectator's camera at the Australian Open held at Royal Sydney Golf Club.