John Daly has never been the picture of health, but fans are increasingly getting worried for the golfer’s well-being after he shared a worrying update about his health this week.
The 59-year-old golfing great has overcome several health challenges over the past few years, including “emergency” surgery on his hand in January.
While he has now gone under the knife 16 times and also battled bladder cancer, Daly is keeping a positive attitude.
“I’m like Lazarus, I keep coming back from the dead,” Daly said. “Waking up is a win for me.”
Despite concerns, he’s even doing his best to stay out on the golf course, competing on PGA Tour Champions circuit.
He’s set to tee off in the tour’s first major of the season, next week’s The Tradition in Birmingham, Ala.
But taking part in the tournament means that he’ll be missing out the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, which also runs next week – something that bothers the former champion.
Daly, who won the PGA Championship in 1991, said that he doesn’t understand why both tours are holding major tournaments on the same weekend.
“I can go there and miss the cut and get $6,000,” Daly said of the PGA Championship. “But I’m playing Birmingham. I love Regions. They’re a great sponsor. But why are they scheduling Regions the same week as the PGA Championship, where I can see Brooks (Koepka) and all the guys?”
According to reports, Regions, which sponsors The Traditions, didn’t want to hold the event this weekend because of Mother’s Day, while the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional is being held the week after the PGA Championship.
Daly isn’t expected to contend at The Tradition. After his January hand surgery, he said that his biggest issue remains getting through the ball on three-quarter shots, as well as his putting.
Last week at the Insperity Invitational, he shot 27-over par to finish in last place by 11 strokes. He previously won the tournament in 2017 and was runner-up in 2020.
Daly has also been keeping busy off the golf course – he’s set to appear in Happy Gilmore 2 starring Adam Sandler, which will be released on Netflix this summer.