Daly set to play at home in Fort Smith Classic

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John Daly will make his first stop on the Nationwide Tour in 19 years at next week's Fort Smith Classic at Hardscrabble Country Club in Ft. Smith, Ark. He accepted a sponsor's exemption in mid-May to compete in the event.

The Arkansas native and two-time major winner has not played on the Nationwide Tour since the Yuma Open in February 1991, just six months before he claimed his first PGA TOUR and major title at the PGA Championship.

"There is no more appropriate place for John Daly to make his first Nationwide Tour start since 1991 than in his home state and at the Fort Smith Classic," said executive director Patricia Brown. "John is one of golf's most popular players. We are excited about what his participation in the Fort Smith Classic could do for our charities. We have reason to believe we can set a record for net charitable contributions to our benefiting non-profit organizations."

In the Nationwide Tour's first year, 1990, Daly competed in 19 events, winning the Utah Classic and finishing runner-up three times. He finished ninth on the money list.

The former University of Arkansas Razorback has played in 10 PGA TOUR events this year, making seven cuts. Since he first joined the TOUR in 1991, he has played in 438 events, with five victories and more than $9.2 million in earnings. His last TOUR victory was the 2004 Buick Invitational.

Daly is competing in this week's St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn., less than 300 miles east of Hardscrabble Country Club. Daly has not played a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event in his home state since 1990 when he finished second in the Nationwide Tour's Texarkana Open.

On Thursday of the tournament week, Daly will join legendary entertainer Charlie Daniels on stage during Daniels' performance at a free concert in Fort Smith River Park.

Weekly grounds tickets for the Fort Smith Classic can be purchased through the tournament's TICKETS Fore CHARITY program. 100% of each ticket purchase will go directly back to the chosen charity. Tickets can be purchased at www.fortsmithclassic.com.