Following the lead of the FBR Open, the sponsoring Thunderbirds gave out the first of eight exemptions to the Fry’s Electronics Open on Wednesday to veteran John Daly.
       It marked the second straight time that Daly had received the first exemption into a PGA Tour event sponsored by the Thunderbirds, as he also received the first “free pass’’ in January to play in the FBR Open, where he missed the cut.
       “I talked with John last night, and he’s excited about coming here and playing in our brand-new event,’’ said tournament chairman Greg Hoyt of the Thunderbirds, the civic organization that oversees the FBR Open and the Fry’s Electronics Open, which takes place Oct. 18-21 at Grayhwk Golf Club in Scottsdale.
        Besides Daly, who is a fan favorite at the FBR Open and a two-time major champion, Hoyt also announced that two other Tour veterans had signed on with the Fry’s Electronics Open, which is part of the PGA Tour’s new Fall Series. They are Davis Love III and Mike Weir, who also have won major titles.
       The announcements came as part of the program for the Fry’s Electronics Open Media Day, which took place at Grayhawk. Joining Hoyt was FBR Open champ Aaron Baddeley, who announced that while he has yet to sign up for the event officially with the PGA Tour, he plans to play here next month.
      “Living here (in Scottsdale), it’s right in my back yard, so I’m committed to it,’’ said Baddeley, who last week finished sixth in the inaugural FedEx Cup.
        Baddeley is among a trend of local players who have decided to support the Fry’s Electronics Open, which will be held in the East Valley only this one time before it moves to a site in California next year.
        Others with local ties who have already committed include such notables as Tom Lehman, Arron Oberholser, Mark Calcavecchia, Billy Mayfair and Kirk Triplett. Phil Mickelson, who lists Grayhawk as his home course on his golf bag, also has said he plans to play in the tournament.