John Daly says he's playing the John Deere

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- "I'm in. I'm playing."

That was John Daly's answer when I asked him Tuesday if he would be playing in this July's John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities.

Daly doesn't have playing privileges on the PGA Tour. He hasn't had them in three years. He has played six Tour events this year, all on sponsor's exemptions. On his Golf Channel reality show, "Being John Daly," he was shown sending personalized letters to numerous tournaments, asking for exemptions.

The Deere has made no announcement about Daly, to my knowledge. He hasn't played there since 2007. But it's hard for me to picture the tournament saying no to a gate attraction like Daly.

This week, Daly is here in Augusta, selling merchandise out of his 45-foot RV. He prefers not to fly.

He spent 12 hours in the parking lot of a jewelry store across the street from Augusta National Golf Club Tuesday, selling T-shirts, caps, towels, posters, copies of his book "My Life In and Out of the Rough," and CDs of his band's music. The CD is called "I Only Know One Way."

Daly's life story truly is the stuff of country songs. Multiple divorces, problems with alcohol, incredibly huge gambling losses,

and golf ability many regard as squandered. Legend has it that Tiger Woods once told Daly he wished he had Daly's talent.

Daly has made the cut in his last three events, including his first Top 25 finish in three years. He got a berth in next week's Tour event in Hilton Head, S.C. If he wins, he'll get two years on Tour.

He turns 44 later this month. And he is still marketable.

Business was brisk Tuesday. Daly made sales, made change, signed items, made sales, posed for photos, listened to fans tell him they once met him or knew someone he knows, and made sales.

"It's been a long day," he said. "It's been a good day, though."

Daly would be a good get for the John Deere. And if Daly could play well and contend at the TPC at Deere Run, it would be a great get.