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PGA golfer John Daly passed out after a binge of heavy drinking at a Winston-Salem, NC Hooters on Sunday. The extremely intoxicated and uncooperative athlete was taken into police custody for a 24 hour detox lockup at Forsyth County Enforcement Detention Center.

Restaurant personnel called paramedics when they determined that Daly might need help. They tried to rouse him but he refused to be transported to a medical facility so police were summoned to take over. They hauled the unruly Daly to jail where he was photographed, fingerprinted and held for a 24 hour sober up.

Daly, a popular pro tour favorite, has undergone alcohol rehabilitation treatment three times. He has also shared details of an addiction to gambling in the last chapter of his autobiography.

Daly has won two major championships: the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 British Open. His last tour victory was the 2004 Buick Invitational.

In March 2008, his golf swing coach, Butch Harmon, quit working with the golfer after the long hitter spent a 2-1/2 hour rain delay in the Hooters corporate tent at the PODS Championship. Clearly disgusted, Harmon told a reporter: “My whole goal for him was he’s got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life. The most important thing in Daly’s life is getting drunk.”

UPDATE: December 31, 2008 – John Daly has been suspended for six months by the PGA for poor conduct. Daly told The Associated Press that the suspension is “not fair in reality, but it’s probably fair in perception.” He hasn’t been seen on the tour since he missed the cut in Las Vegas on October 17.

We’ve included a photo of the power hitter in his prime.