GOLF Daly on the verge of making comeback

The former PGA and British Open champ has his first 54-hole lead in 10 years.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN DIEGO -- John Daly is in the lead, and on the verge of another comeback.
Thousands of fans lining the 18th fairway gasped and cheered when Daly launched a 2-iron over the water and right at the flag Saturday in the Buick Invitational. The roar shook Torrey Pines like a Navy fighter jet when he holed the eagle putt, giving him a 4-under 68 and his first 54-hole lead in 10 years on the PGA Tour.
Just imagine him holding the trophy.
"It would prove to myself that it's not over yet," Daly said.
His life in constant turmoil off the course, Daly showed plenty of control on the tough South course at Torrey Pines by making only one bogey over the last two days and taking a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink.
Those wanting to see another victory by Tiger Woods (eight shots behind) or Phil Mickelson (nine shots behind) have someone they can root for just as hard.
"One guy said, 'Put the cows in the barn.' I'm from Arkansas, and I'm still not sure what that means," Daly said. "I knew it was a compliment, so it was kind of cool. It would be great to win another tournament for the fans."
Daly was at 13-under 203, one shot ahead of Cink (71).
Dennis Paulson, playing on a sponsor's exemption, had a 67 and was another stroke back.
While the fans might soak up another victory by the "Wild Thing," it would be a stunning comeback for Daly considering the constant struggles he faces.
Two divorces. Two trips to alcohol rehab. A PGA Tour suspension for erratic behavior.
Winless since 1995
The latest episode for Daly, winless on the PGA Tour since his victory in the '95 British Open at St. Andrews, came last summer when his wife and her parents were indicted on federal drug and gambling charges -- just five days after she gave birth to his first son.
Daly did not want to talk about his problems away from golf, but he was asked how he was able to focus with so many distractions in life.
"I'm used to it," he said with a slow smile.
Champions Tour
NAPLES, Fla. -- Craig Stadler shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 in 30 mph wind Saturday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Champions Tour's ACE Group Classic.
Stadler, back on the 50-and-over tour after tying for 35th last week in the PGA Tour's Pebble Beach event, had a 10-under 134 total on the TwinEagles course.
"It was a pretty good day of survival," Stadler said. "This couldn't be a harder golf course today ... I made a bunch of 4- and 5-footers, which in the conditions there was a pretty good chance you'd miss a couple, but I pretty much hit every one."
Stadler won the B.C. Open last year to become the first senior tour player to win a PGA Tour event. He also won three times on the Champions Tour after turning 50 in June.