Former Open champion looks unrecognizable as he puffs cigarette 29 years on from famous win

Golf maverick John Daly turned heads at The Open this week, ambling across the green with a bushy beard while puffing on a cigarette.

The man known as 'Wild Thing', who clinched victory at St Andrews 29 years ago, has made a return to the final major of the year. Now 58, Daly is back where he celebrated one of his greatest victories, but fans might barely recognize him with his wildly altered appearance.

Daly, often more notorious for his wild life away from golf than his achievements on the course, appeared completely at ease as he wandered around Royal Troon, flaunting his signature quirky fashion sense. With about two years left of his exemption to play in The Open as a past champion, the rules allow the American to compete until he hits 60.

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While Daly's new look certainly drew glances, the two-time major champion has always been a magnet for attention. His career has been peppered with tumult and scandal.

From seizing a spectator's camera to smash it against a tree, to navigating through four marriages, or confessing to struggles with alcohol and gambling, Daly has consistently been in the spotlight. The Californian was a long shot at 66-1 to win The Open in 1995 before he stormed to victory, powered by brute force and an uncompromising determination.

Reflecting on his approach to the game, Daly once remarked: "I just hit it as hard as I can, and if I find the ball, I hit it again."

While he's always been known to enjoy a smoke on the green, his relationship with alcohol has been notably tumultuous. In a 2016 interview with Graham Bensinger, the star shockingly confessed that he would often set records while intoxicated, stating: "It's amazing where I would go, wherever I set course records or whatever, I would be barefooted drunk."

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In a 2010 lawsuit, his extensive 456-page PGA Tour personnel file was made public, revealing nearly $100,000 in fines from 1991 to 2008. It also showed that he had been ordered to seek counselling or enter alcohol rehabilitation centres seven times and had been suspended from the tour five times.

Daly's coach Butch Harmon cut ties with him in 2008, bluntly stating: "The most important thing in his (Daly's) life is getting drunk."

Daly won't be leading the pack at Royal Troon this weekend after a disastrous opening round. The seasoned star scored an 11 over round of 82 at the Scottish course, placing him third from the bottom of the leaderboard.

The 1995 champion is trailing far behind the leaders, which include Shane Lowry and the relatively unknown Daniel Brown. British golf star Rory McIlroy also seems unlikely to pose a challenge to end his major title drought after scoring seven over par during Thursday's opening round.