John Daly smashes camera into tree

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Troubled John Daly smashed a fan’s camera into a tree in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.

After pushing his tee shot wide on the ninth hole – his last – Daly walked into the trees, where Brad Clegg tried to take a picture.

Daly reportedly snatched the camera and smashed it against the nearest tree, telling the man, “You want it back, I’ll buy you a new one.”

Asked if he would seek compensation, Clegg told the Australian Associated Press: “I don’t think I’ll be chasing him for the money. He’s a big bloke!”

Daly, who missed the cut at both the Australian Masters and the PGA in the last two weeks and is being paid an appearance fee for his three-tournament trip Down Under, had three double bogeys, three bogeys and four birdies.

Clegg said he didn’t think he provoked Daly by going so close.

“I was bold, but I wasn’t unreasonable,” he said.

Terms and conditions for tickets at the Australian Open prohibit the use of cameras on the course for spectators.

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