Two-time major champion John Daly has withdrawn from The Open Championship at Royal Troon, citing a knee injury. Daly, who won the 1995 Champion Golfer of the Year title, exited the tournament after posting a 10-over 81 during Thursday’s first round, which included seven bogies and a quadruple bogey eight on the 18th hole.
This withdrawal follows a similar incident at the PGA Championship in May, where Daly pulled out after an 11-over 82 in the first round at Valhalla due to a thumb injury sustained in Kentucky.
Daly’s career highlights include winning the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Indiana by three strokes and the 1995 Open Championship in a playoff against Constantino Rocca at St. Andrews. These victories grant the 58-year-old exemption to compete in these two major championships each year, although he hasn’t contended since the mid-1990s. His exemption for The Open Championship will expire when he turns 60, making next year’s edition at Royal Portrush potentially his last.
The former Arkansas Razorback last made a cut in a major in 2012, tying for 18th at Kiawah Island, and also played the weekend at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s that summer, tying for 81st.
Daly has faced challenges on the PGA Tour Champions this season, with only three sub-70 rounds across 11 events and six rounds of 80 or higher. His best finish this year was a tie for 56th at the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club last week. Despite this, Daly is headed home early from Royal Troon due to his latest withdrawal.