than a month at today's $1.8 million Gillette Tour Challenge Championships.

"I feel good,'' said Daly who limbered up for the one-day event by trying to become the first golfer to drive the green on the 433-yard fifth hole at the Mid Ocean Club.

Daly took about a dozen swings, reaching about 350 yards, before surrendering and returning to the clubhouse where he began a pro-Am round at the par three 17th.

He last played a PGA Tour sanctioned event at the Greater Vancouver Open during the last week of August, failing to make the cut. During the first round, Daly, a recovering alcoholic and a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, suffered the shakes and chills.

"It's not always nice for that to happen,'' he said yesterday. "But I got through it and that was the most important thing.'' On the practice green yesterday, Daly was greeted warmly by some of the other players.

"I can't think of what it must be like to go through what he has gone through and it is especially difficult if you are in the public eye and then have to come out here and share your problems with everyone,'' said Nick Price. "I have a lot of admiration for him.'' Daly, who had considered not playing in the Dunhill Cup because of his troubles, will honour that commitment next week and team with Masters and British Open champion Mark O'Meara and Tigers Woods in the international team competition.

"It's a chance to represent the United States and I feel good at St.

Andrews,'' said Daly, who won the British Open on the historic Old Course in 1995 and last played in the Dunhill Cup in 1993.

"It's great to have those two guys on my team. I think we should win.'' Daly also will play two more PGA Tour events later this month, at Las Vegas and at Walt Disney World.

"I wouldn't play them if I didn't think I could play well in them,'' said Daly, whose best finishes this year were fourth-place ties at the Nissan Open and Honda Classic in March.

Price believes Daly can regain his past form.

"I wouldn't say anyone is concerned about his future because we all know how much talent and skill he has,'' Price said.

Photos by David Skinner STAR ATTRACTION -- Big-hitting John Daly seemed to put his troubles behind him as he enjoyed his first taste of Bermuda golf in yesterday's Gillette Pro-Am.