John Daly apparently had options when it came to continuing his Masters week tradition.
We’re inching our way towards the PGA Tour’s first (and best) major championship of the year: The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
The week of the Masters is truly magical. Spring is in the air, and the azaleas are in full bloom at Augusta. And outside of the hallowed grounds, the first signifier that action at Augusta National is about to heat up is John Daly rolling into town and setting up shop.
For years, he planted his Masters week roots (A.K.A. parked his RV) at the Augusta, Georgia Hooters… but that’s not an option for 59-year-old anymore.
Golf fans and Hooters fanatics alike were devastated to hear that the Augusta, Georgia Hooters – which used to sit just a mile away from the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club – was demolished back in November of 2025. The restaurant had been shut down in July of that year, and not even four months later, was bulldozed. It was a horrific sight to see.
When it closed, and was eventually torn down months later, golf fans were left wondering if John Daly would have to abandon his yearly routine. After all, the Hooters was his safe haven, and with it no longer being there, where would the golfer park his mobile home/merchandise mover? It’s certainly been on my mind a lot (I’ve lost sleep over it), but now, we know that the tradition will continue… it’ll just look a little different.
A press release from Topgolf earlier today revealed that Topgolf Augusta will be hosting the former major championship winner during the week of the Masters:
“Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf and professional golf icon John Daly are teaming up for the golf season’s first major championship to reimagine his iconic tournament-week presence on Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, from 6-9 p.m. at Topgolf Augusta.
Daly’s candid personality, quick wit and love for engaging with fans have made him a tournament-week mainstay for decades – and this year, Topgolf serves as his 19th hole to mix, mingle and keep the party going.”
Seems like the perfect match for Masters week.
The only problem? Just a couple of months ago, an Augusta news outlet shared that an eatery just a stone’s throw away (in golf terms, just a half swing of a sand wedge) from the former Hooters location had stepped in to host Daly. A spot called “Top Dawg Tavern,” which is almost literally right across the street from where Daly used to park his RV, said they were hosting the golf legend during the week of the Masters:
“Top Dawg Tavern confirmed they will be hosting the 59-year-old golfer this year, just a few hundred feet away from his former spot.”
Just six weeks ago, the Augusta eatery was boasting that John Daly would be at their place during Masters week… so unless the famous golfer has somehow figured out how to be in two places at once, it doesn’t appear that there’s going to be enough John Daly to go around.
Now, a comment from the restaurant on their announcement said that Daly would be there “during the day,” and his appearances at Topgolf are in the evening, so it sounds like he may be splitting his time between the two? Regardless, I hope there’s no hard feelings between the two establishments in Augusta.
Hopefully Top Dawg and Topgolf can embrace the spirit of the Masters and just be happy that John Daly will still be setting up shop even after his beloved Hooters was torn down.
