John Daly Withdraws from PGA Championship After Thumb Injury

After a challenging opening day at Valhalla Golf Club, John Daly decided to withdraw from the PGA Championship on Friday morning.

Daly’s withdrawal ahead of his second round was due to a thumb injury. The severity of the injury remains unclear, as does whether it occurred during Thursday’s play. Daly had a tough time on the course Thursday, starting with three consecutive bogeys and finishing his front nine at 7-over. He ended the round with an 11-over 82, placing him near the bottom of the leaderboard.

Despite his struggles, Daly, 58, still embraced the moment. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Daly enjoys his time on the course. Now primarily competing on the PGA Tour Champions, Daly often rides in a cart due to ongoing injuries. His illustrious career includes five PGA Tour victories, notably the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 British Open.

Daly’s more recent success came on the PGA Tour Champions, where he secured a win at the Insperity Invitational in 2017. This season, Daly has made seven appearances on the Senior Circuit, though his best finish has been 65th. He has not made a cut at a Major Championship since 2018.

The prospect of Daly making the cut this week was slim, given his position and the formidable competition. Xander Schauffele set a course record with a spectacular 62 on Thursday, leading the field by three strokes at 9-under.

Friday’s play was delayed by about 90 minutes due to a tragic accident outside the course. In an unrelated incident, top-ranked Scottie Scheffler was briefly detained but was released in time to tee off for the second round.

Daly’s departure marks another chapter in his storied and colorful career. While his performance at Valhalla was far from his best, Daly’s presence on the tour remains a testament to his enduring love for the game and his unique ability to captivate fans and fellow players alike. As Daly steps back from the PGA Championship, the golf world continues to watch and appreciate the larger-than-life figure he has become.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.