Two-time major champion John Daly has withdrawn from the British Open at Royal Troon.
Daly cited a knee injury as the reason for his withdrawal. He withdrew from the tournament after shooting a 10-over 81 in the first round on Thursday. He had seven bogeys that day, including four bogey-eights on the 18th and final hole.
Daly also withdrew from the PGA Championship in May after finishing his opening round at Valhalla with an 11-over 82. Daly said he injured his thumb in Kentucky and withdrew as a result.
Daly, of course, won the 1991 PGA Championship by three strokes at Crooked Stick, Indiana, and the 1995 British Open in a playoff against Constantino Rocca at St. Andrews. Those two victories mean Daly can play in those two major championships every year, even though he hasn’t played since the mid-1990s and is now 58. His British Open exemption expires in two years, when he turns 60, so next year’s tournament at Royal Portrush could be his last.
The former Arkansas Razorback hasn’t missed the cut at a major tournament since 2012, when he finished tied for 18th at Kiawah Island. That summer he also played a weekend at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, finishing tied for 81st.
However, Daly has also struggled on the PGA Tour Champions this season, finishing under 70 in only three rounds in 11 tournaments and scoring 80 or better in six. His best result this year was a tie for 56th place in last week’s Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club. But those results were short-lived, and Daly was forced to return home early from Royal Troon.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
