John Daly Jr. already carried one of the most famous surnames in golf.
The 22-year-old son of two-time Major champion John Daly turned professional in June 2026 after a decorated collegiate run at Arkansas, an amateur PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open, and NIL deals with Hooters and Manscaped that put his name in front of millions of golf fans while he was still in college.
This article breaks down John Daly Jr. net worth, his early career earnings, endorsement deals, and what his financial future looks like as he launches his professional journey on the Korn Ferry Tour.
John Daly Jr.’s Biography
| Full Name | John Patrick Daly II |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Little John / LJ |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 2003 |
| Age | 22 |
| Birthplace | Clearwater, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| College | University of Arkansas (Razorbacks) |
| Turned Professional | June 2026 |
| Current Tour(s) | Korn Ferry Tour |
| Career Wins (Professional) | 0 |
| Career Prize Money (Professional) | Early-career |
| Net Worth | ~$250,000–$500,000 |
| Father | John Daly (two-time Major champion) |
| Mother | Sherrie Miller |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| Social Media | Instagram: @johndaly2 |
Early Life and Golf Journey
John Patrick Daly II was born on July 23, 2003, in Clearwater, Florida, to golf legend John Daly and his fourth wife, Sherrie Miller.
He grew up moving between Florida and Arkansas, spending much of his childhood on golf courses beside one of the sport’s most recognized figures.
His father won the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship, and the younger Daly absorbed the game from his earliest years watching that first-hand.
Known universally as “Little John” or “LJ” to his family and friends, he began developing his own swing while still in grade school.
His upbringing gave him both rare access to elite-level coaching wisdom and the added weight of carrying a legendary name. He handled both with evident maturity.
Daly attended high school before earning a golf scholarship to the University of Arkansas — the same program where his father once played as an All-American from 1984 to 1987.
He quickly proved he belonged at that level. During his collegiate career, he posted a 71.967 career scoring average, ranking sixth on the Arkansas all-time list, and earned spots on the SEC Academic Honor Roll four times.
His most prominent amateur achievement before turning pro came at the 2025 Southern Amateur Championship, which he won at The Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Arkansas — the same course where Arkansas plays its home events.
That win landed him a spot in the 2025 U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club, where he advanced to the quarterfinals, confirming his status as one of the country’s top collegiate players.
He also won the 2025 Blessings Collegiate Invitational and reached the final three for the 2025 Ben Hogan Award, given to the top college golfer in the country.
Well before any of that, Daly had already introduced himself to a global golf audience. He and his father teamed up at the 2021 PNC Championship and won the event in record fashion, posting a 27-under score over 36 holes — beating Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods by two strokes.
The Daly duo was runners-up at the PNC Championship in 2018, 2022, and 2025 as well, making them one of the event’s most consistent pairings.
Professional Golf Career
John Daly Jr. made his first professional-adjacent appearance on the PGA Tour in March 2026, competing as an amateur at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open at Grand Reserve Golf Club after receiving a sponsor’s exemption.
He opened with a 2-under 70 and backed it up with a 5-under 67 to sit inside the top 10 heading into the weekend.
He ultimately made the cut and finished tied for 37th — a genuinely impressive result for a 22-year-old amateur playing in his first Tour event against full-time professionals.
He announced his turn to professional status shortly after graduating from Arkansas in spring 2026.
His professional debut came at the 2026 OccuNet Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, held at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas — the same city where his father famously finished runner-up in 1990.
He opened with a difficult 4-over 74, then bounced back with a second-round 64 that included seven birdies, comfortably making the cut in his Korn Ferry Tour debut.
The connection to Amarillo made for a genuine story. His father had competed there over 35 years earlier; now the next generation was writing its own chapter in the same city. Daly Jr. leaned into the moment with visible confidence.
He has continued competing on the Korn Ferry Tour through summer 2026 on sponsor exemptions while working to build points and secure status.
His career is still in its earliest chapters — but the amateur pedigree and Tour experience he carried into his professional debut gave him a stronger foundation than most young players enjoy.
Daly’s game features excellent ball-striking and a competitive disposition shaped by years of playing alongside and against elite amateurs.
He described his driving distance as roughly 40 yards past his father’s current output, a playful nod that also signals real power off the tee. His father’s advice heading into that Puerto Rico debut was simple: expect cameras, and just have fun.
John Daly Jr.’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, John Daly Jr.’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $250,000 to $500,000.
He only turned professional in June 2026, so his financial profile reflects a young player at the very start of his earning career rather than an established tour veteran.
His income to date has come from NIL endorsement deals signed during his college years, a small amount of Korn Ferry Tour prize money from his early starts, and appearance-related value tied to his famous last name.
Career Prize Money
Daly Jr. competed as an amateur at his PGA Tour debut — the 2026 Puerto Rico Open — meaning he was not eligible to accept official prize money from that event.
His T37 finish would have earned a professional player a modest check, but the money was declined per amateur rules.
His first professional prize money came from the 2026 OccuNet Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he made the cut after a second-round 64.
The OccuNet Classic carried a $1 million purse, with the winner earning $180,000 and second place paying $90,000.
Based on a mid-field cut-made finish, Daly Jr. likely earned somewhere between $3,500 and $8,000 from that debut event, per standard Korn Ferry Tour payout distributions. His cumulative official professional prize money remains in very early stages as of mid-2026.
The real earnings potential lies ahead. The Korn Ferry Tour is the primary developmental circuit feeding the PGA Tour, and players who secure full status and compete consistently in 30+ events per season can realistically earn between $100,000 and $400,000 annually in prize money before any endorsements are factored in.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season / Year | Status | Notable Events | Prize Money (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Amateur | PNC Championship (Won w/ father) | $100,000 (father’s share; amateur ineligible) |
| 2022–2024 | Amateur / NCAA | Collegiate wins; Hooters NIL deal signed | NIL income (undisclosed) |
| 2025 | Amateur | Southern Amateur Champion; U.S. Amateur QF | Amateur (no prize money) |
| 2026 (Mar) | Amateur | Puerto Rico Open – T37 (not eligible for prize money) | $0 (prize declined per amateur rules) |
| 2026 (Jun+) | Professional | OccuNet Classic (Korn Ferry Tour debut, cut made); ongoing KFT starts | Early-career; estimated ~$5,000–$20,000 to date |
Endorsements
His first major NIL deal came in April 2022, when Hooters signed both John Daly and his son in a joint sponsorship arrangement. Daly Jr. became Hooters’ first NIL ambassador, tasked with promoting the brand through social media, digital content, and personal appearances.
The deal required him to wear Hooters-branded apparel at eligible amateur events (NCAA-sanctioned events excluded) and participate in marketing activations alongside his father.
In January 2023, both Dalys starred in a nationally televised commercial for Manscaped’s Beard Hedger product. The ad aired during the Farmers Insurance Open broadcast and became one of the most widely shared pieces of golf marketing content of that year.
Daly Jr. played it perfectly, delivering a deadpan performance that matched his father’s comedic instincts beat for beat. The commercial cemented his profile as a marketable personality, not just a legacy golfer.
As a professional, Daly Jr. is now free to pursue full endorsement contracts without NCAA restrictions.
Equipment deals, apparel partnerships, and expanded brand ambassador roles are the logical next additions to his portfolio as he develops his professional résumé.
Given his family name recognition, social media presence, and early tour results, he is well positioned to attract sponsors even before winning on tour. Specific professional endorsement terms have not been publicly disclosed as of mid-2026.
Career Statistics
| Year | Tour | Events | Status | Wins | Cuts Made | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PNC Championship | 1 | Amateur | 1 (w/ father) | N/A | 1st (Team) |
| 2022 | Collegiate / PNC | Multiple | Amateur | 0 | N/A | 2nd (PNC, team) |
| 2024 | Korn Ferry Tour (1 start) | 1 | Amateur | 0 | 0 | Missed cut |
| 2025 | Amateur / Collegiate | Multiple | Amateur | 2 (collegiate) + Southern Amateur | N/A | Southern Amateur Champion; U.S. Amateur QF |
| 2026 (Mar) | PGA Tour (amateur entry) | 1 | Amateur | 0 | 1 | T37 (Puerto Rico Open) |
| 2026 (Jun+) | Korn Ferry Tour | Multiple | Professional | 0 | 1+ | Cut made (OccuNet Classic) |
FAQs
What is John Daly Jr.’s net worth?
John Daly Jr.’s net worth is estimated at roughly $250,000 to $500,000. He only turned professional in June 2026, so his wealth reflects NIL endorsement income from college years, early Korn Ferry Tour prize money, and brand deal value tied to his high-profile last name.
What endorsements has John Daly Jr. signed?
He served as Hooters’ first NIL ambassador starting in 2022, alongside his father. He also starred in a nationally broadcast Manscaped commercial in 2023. As a newly professional golfer, full equipment and apparel contracts are expected to follow as he builds his tour career.
How did John Daly Jr. perform at his PGA Tour debut?
He made the cut and finished T37 at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open, competing as an amateur via sponsor’s exemption. He opened with a 70 and followed up with a 67, sitting inside the top 10 after 36 holes before closing rounds settled him at 37th.
Did John Daly Jr. win the PNC Championship?
Yes. He and his father, John Daly, won the 2021 PNC Championship together with a tournament-record 27-under score over 36 holes, beating Tiger and Charlie Woods by two strokes. They were runners-up at the event in 2018, 2022, and 2025.
What college did John Daly Jr. attend, and how did he perform?
He played four years at the University of Arkansas, the same program his father attended. He finished with a 71.967 career scoring average — sixth on Arkansas’s all-time list — won two collegiate events, and earned four SEC Academic Honor Roll selections.
