Professional golfer John Daly admits to some big gambling problems and a lot of losing in Las Vegas.
In a Hollywood bombshell with a Sin City twist, Paris Hilton and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart went public Tuesday with their romance in Las Vegas.
While publicists for the hotel heiress were confirming her split with Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos, Hilton flew to Las Vegas to join Leinart's post-NFL draft party at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace.
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Leinart, 22, was the Arizona Cardinals' first-round pick in Saturday's NFL draft after a brilliant career as quarterback at the University of Southern California.
A little more than a week ago, Hilton, 25, threw a round of weekend birthday parties in Las Vegas for Niarchos.
It's not her first hookup with a high-profile athlete.
In September 2004, sparks flew between her and Chicago Bears all-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher at Light nightclub at the Bellagio. She was seen leaving the club on Urlacher's back with a broken stiletto heel in hand.
That romance fizzled a short time later.
DALY ADDICTION
Golfer John Daly, in his new book, says his 12-year gambling addiction has cost him between $50 million and $60 million.
A low point came last fall in Las Vegas, he said.
After winning $750,000 for a runner-up finish to Tiger Woods in San Francisco, Daly said he drove to Las Vegas and lost $1.65 million in five hours, most of it while playing $5,000 slot machines.
Sources tell me Daly, a high roller regular at Bally's, had heavy losses at Wynn Las Vegas.
He lost $600,000 within 30 minutes, he said, without identifying the casino, took out another $600,000 line of credit and lost that in two hours.
"If I don't get control of my gambling, it's going to flat-out ruin me," he said in his autobiography, "John Daly: "My Life In and Out of the Rough: The Truth Behind All That Bull**** You Think You Know About Me."
The book comes out next week.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Cher, in an interview with Fox News columnist Roger Friedman, says she is replacing Celine Dion in two years at Caesars Palace. ...
Stand-up comedian and former radio host Carla Rea has been named KVBC-TV, Channel 3, public relations and community affairs director. She succeeds Judy Reich, who spent 18 years at the station. Rea plans to continue her stand-up comedy. ...
An Evening With John L. Smith will launch the Review-Journal columnist's latest book, "Bluegrass Days, Neon Nights," on Thursday in Addison's Lounge at the Rampart Casino. He'll be signing copies from 5-7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer of Southern Nevada.
SIGHTINGS
Leinart, with a large contingent of family and friends, including Nick Lachey, dining Tuesday at Chinois in Forum Shops at Caesars. ...
Kid Rock and pals, including Detroit rapper Trick Trick, on Monday at ghostbar in the Palms. ... Baseball hall of famer Reggie Jackson on Monday, at Jet in The Mirage with friends, a couple of tables away from UFC star Tito Ortiz. ... 150 international attendees from the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference, in the crowd at Sunday's matinee of "Forever Plaid" at the Gold Coast. ... Baseball hall of famer Mike Schmidt is signing autographs 6-8:30 p.m. today and 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fountain of the Gods at the Forum Shops at Caesars.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Condoleezza Rice is seen as the most popular person in the Bush administration. That's like being MVP of the Knicks!" -- David Letterman
