John Daly Has Best Showing in Years

John Daly completed his best showing in years today, and we're not even talking about his fashion choices.

While Daly has received quite a bit of attention for wearing Loudmouth Golf pants over the past two weeks (photo gallery), it was his golf that was worth noticing today in the final round of the European Tour's Italian Open.

Daly fired a 66 in the final round, completing four straight rounds in the 60s and finishing tied for second place. Daly has played some good golf in Europe recently, including a 62 in last year's Hong Kong Open final round. But it's been a while since Daly's play on the USPGA matched what he did in Italy this week. He hasn't posted all four rounds in the 60s in a PGA Tour tournament since finishing second at the 2005 WGC American Express Championship.

There are certainly good signs that Daly's game has turned around. At the 2008 British Open, Daly shot 80-89. At the 2008 PGA Championship, 74-75 and missed the cut. He played three more PGA Tour events at the end of last year, before his suspension kicked in, and played much better, posting four of nine rounds in the 60s.

In 2009, Daly has been sitting out USPGA tournaments under suspension, but with that suspension nearing its end he started playing in Europe two weeks ago in preparation for any USPGA sponsor exemptions that come his way. And the results have been good. There is the Italian Open tie for second with four rounds in the 60s; the previous week, at the Open de Espana, Daly finished tied for 31st with three solid rounds and a 69 in the final round.

Things are looking brighter for Daly on the course right now. And speaking of things that look bright:

Photos: John Daly Wearing Loudmouth Pants