Fast-paced and somewhat carefree, John Daly’s health has taken a hit. Earlier this year, he underwent his 16th surgery, deemed “urgent,” and despite battling bladder cancer, the 59-year-old remains undeterred.
“I’m like Lazarus, I’m back from death,” Daly commented. “Just walking up is a win for me.”
Daly is set on competing on the Senior PGA Tour Champions Circuit, choosing to miss next week’s PGA Championship at PGA Hollow to participate in the major event in Birmingham, Alabama, kicking off the year’s PGA Tour Champions.
The 1991 PGA Championship winner expressed confusion regarding the scheduling of the two majors concurrently. “I could go there and potentially miss the cut and still make $6,000,” he shared about the PGA Championship. “But I’m committed to Birmingham. I appreciate the region and their sponsorship. Why schedule it the same week as the PGA Championship?”
This week can be particularly busy due to golf events, making it hard to garner local support around Mother’s Day. Following the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship is set for the next week in Congress.
Reaching Talladega on April 27 was challenging with NASCAR in town. Additionally, Daly’s form isn’t where he’d like it to be after hand surgery in January. He mentioned struggling to consistently get over the ball for three-quarters of his shots. He ended last week with a score of 27-over par at The Insperity Invitational, an event where he won in 2017 and placed as runner-up in 2020.
And he’s not alone in skipping the upcoming week. Rich Beem, who famously defeated Tiger Woods at Hazeltine in 2002, opted out this year after a tough experience at Barhalla last year. Now working for Sky Sports during major events, he felt unprepared for the long course this time around, especially with Quail Hollow measuring 7,262 yards at par 71.
Even Beem, who ended last year’s tournament at Plus-20, acknowledged his struggles: “Last year, I really got my (butt kicked). Even if you excelled at Bethpage in 2019, you might lose 10 yards, which can quickly turn into 100.”
He mentioned plans to skip Aroni Mink next year but intends to return for the PGA Championship in his Texas hometown in 2027.
Davis Love III, recovering from heart surgery, and Ye Yang will also miss the PGA Championship next week.
