John Daly makes cut, blows up on Sunday, strips down for Slix underwear

February 21 -- With Tiger Woods apparently back in rehab, John Daly has the stage to himself as the most notorious PGA Tour golfer making a comeback bid.

• Check out John Daly's new body in these photos

Daly, whose Golf Channel reality show starts in little over a week, finally made it to weekend play at this week’s Mayakoba Classic in Mexico after missing cuts in three previous attempts this season. 

Despite earning two majors, Daly last won in 2004 and his 23-year career has been on a roller-coaster ride ever since. The newly svelte Daly underwent lap-band surgery, which kept him off the links for some time.

If you count Daly’s retirement/unretirement announcements, the 43-year old slugger is truly on a rebound, especially after three rounds in the 60s (68, 69, 69).

Sunday woes. Which is why Daly’s final-round blow-up was so disappointing. Big John had two double-bogeys and a triple (a seven on the par-4 11th at the Mayakoba Resort's El Camaleon Course) on his way to a final-round 10-over 81.

The problem sure wasn’t with Daly’s length off the tee. He ranked first in the field this week, with an average distance of more than 305 yards.

But Daly placed 75th in driving accuracy and 69th in greens in regulations, so it looks as if the five-foot, 11-inch, 185-pounder has some work to do on the range.

In his skivvies. Good thing he has a new advertising gig as an underwear model.

Yup, that’s John Daly in his almost altogether for Slix. Perhaps he would have gotten more attention if he hadn’t tweeted about his new role on the same day that Woods went public with his apology-palooza. Thanks to Stephanie Wei for the heads-up about Daly’s burgeoning new career.

New England golfers in Mexico. While Daly ended up in a tie for 67th, at 3-over for the week, some New England golfers fared better.

Massachusetts’ Fran Quinn fired a 6-under 278 (72, 67, 70, 69) to share 23rd place, while University of Hartford (CT) grad, Jerry Kelly, was one shot back.

Jay Williamson, who’s a Trinity College (also in Hartford) alum, shot a 3-under 281 (67, 71, 73, 70) to put him in a tie for 40th. J.J. Henry, also with Connecticut roots, shared 48th, and Rhode Islander Brad Faxon ended in a tie for 55th place.

Because it’s always all about Tiger. In the obligatory reaction-to-Tiger Woods’-apology segment, Daly, as always, did not mince words.

"If I screw up, I take full responsibility when it happens," Daly told WMC-TV in Memphis, TN.  "I don't wait three months.”

Daly, whose wife has reportedly accused him of infidelity, said the time between Woods’ car crash and reemergence from seclusion could make it more difficult for the golf great to come back.

Daly, nevertheless, is cheering for Woods’ quick return to the course.

"Hopefully he'll come out and play some golf and start winning again," Daly said.

Woods may have won over some skeptics with his mea culpa extravaganza Friday, but don’t expect his caddie to change his ways. Read how Woods’ looper, Steve Williams, won’t back off his tough-guy role.