John Daly Withdraws from PGA Championship After Health Scare: "Waking Up Is My Victory"

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John Daly has chosen not to participate in next week's event. PGA Championship As he keeps recovering from surgery, the golf icon admits: "Waking up is a victory for me."

The 59-year-old continues to be one of golf’s most beloved figures due to his distinctive style, powerful swings, and vibrant lifestyle—both within and outside the game.

However, the golfer who has won multiple major championships will skip the tournament at Quail Hollow. Instead, Daly has chosen to participate in another event. The Regions Tradition – the initial one among five major tournaments on the PGA Tour Champions, designed for golfers aged 50 and above.

Daly is still recuperating to reach his peak form following a health crisis that led to his hospitalization in January. He underwent urgent surgery on his left hand prior to making his return to golf in March.

It marked the 16th surgical procedure throughout his illustrious career for Daly, who has simultaneously fought against bladder cancer. "I’m akin to Lazarus; I continually rise from the grave," stated the 59-year-old.

I never imagined I had been through all of this for thirty years; I've only passed away eleven times... In just four years, I underwent sixteen operations, I sort of lost track after a while.

In 2020, after his cancer diagnosis, Daly vowed to improve his infamous diet and lifestyle. 'I’m cutting way, way back on the Diet Coke and counting minutes before I can have a cigarette. I’m trying to quit smoking,' he said.

But Daly has continued to have problems with his health. On his recent surgery, he explained: 'The tendons were all wrapped around each other. [The doctor] doesn't understand how I played last year. But he put it back, attached it to the forefinger or something.'

Since returning at the Hoag Classic in late March, he has faced challenges. Here are his standings for the 2025 season: tied for 56th, tied for 75th, tied for 50th, and placed 77th.

Last week, during the Insperity Invitational, where he claimed victory in 2017 and came in second place in 2020, he completed his run with an overall score of 27-over par.

Daly, who is 59 years old, secured a lifelong invitation to the PGA Championship following his victory in 1991 at CrookedStick Golf Club. Additionally, he claimed the title in The Open Championship back in 1995.

I could participate and not make the cut but still earn $6,000," Daly commented about the PGA Championship, where participants who didn’t qualify for the final round received $4,000 last year. "However, right now I’m focused on playing in Birmingham. I really enjoy Regions; they’re an excellent sponsor.

'So why are they setting up Region events during the same time as the PGA Championship, when I could watch Brooks Koepka and all those players instead?'

Daly joined last year’s PGA Championship held at Valhalla but had to pull out because of a thumb injury prior to the start of the second round following his first-round score of 11-over-par 82.

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