When Colin Montgomerie received a call inviting him to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida this week, he had no hesitation in boarding a plane and heading for the United States — even though he had committed himself to the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.

The gist of the message was that when Palmer calls, you do not decline. A pity, then, that John Daly seems incapable of following suit, having forfeited his right to play in the tournament after failing to turn up at Bay Hill yesterday for the pro-am event.

Given that Daly has lost his playing rights on the PGA Tour in the United States and relies mostly on sponsors’ invitations, this latest episode in a life lived in turmoil — several times he has been in rehab for alcohol abuse and claims to have lost about $60 million gambling — will probably come back to bite him. He remains a favourite with the fans, but for how long will sponsors put up with his antics?

A day earlier, the 41-year-old former Open champion was on the end of a stinging attack from Butch Harmon, the renowned coach, who had been helping him to attempt to get his game back on track. Not any more. “He’s got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life,” Harmon said. “But the most important thing in his life is getting drunk.”

The turning point for Harmon was Daly’s behaviour at the PODS Championship in Innisbrook, Florida, last week. During a rain delay on the first day, Daly sought refuge in a corporate tent on the course, where he drank beer before he emerged two hours later with John Gruden, the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football team, carrying his bag.

He followed up a round of 78 with one of 80 and missed the cut. Daly then spent Saturday drinking in the Hooters bar at the course, mixing with fans, and signing autographs, one of which was on the back of a woman’s trousers.

“I’ve let him know that after his actions of last weekend we are no longer together,” Harmon said. “John Gruden caddying was ridiculous. I thought he made a circus out of the whole event. I like the kid, but he’s got to get his head on straight.”

All of which is far removed from the world of Tiger Woods, who will be attempting to win his seventh tournament in succession. Among those trying to stop the world No 1 is Luke Donald, the Englishman, who has a second and a third-place finish to his name this season and is playing with increasing confidence.

In all, there are six Englishmen in the field: Donald, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, David Howell and Brian Davis. For Montgomerie, the task is to put together two good weeks — here and at the WGC CA Championship in Doral, Florida, next week — in a bid to get into the world top 50 and qualify for the Masters.