The Open: John Daly withdraws, cites damage at Royal Troon

Two-time main champion John Daly has withdrawn from The Open Championship at Royal Troon.

He cited a knee damage as the explanation for his exit. Daly pulled out of the match after posting a 10-over 81 throughout Thursday’s first spherical, a day that featured seven bogies and a closing quadruple bogey eight on the 18th gap.

He additionally withdrew from the PGA Championship in May after opening with an 11-over 82 at Valhalla. Daly mentioned he suffered a thumb damage in Kentucky and pulled out in consequence.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Of course, Daly received the 1991 PGA Championship by three strokes at Crooked Stick in Indiana and the 1995 Open Championship in a playoff over Constantino Rocca at St. Andrews. Those two wins enable the 58-year-old to nonetheless compete in these two main championships annually, though he has not contended for the reason that mid-Nineteen Nineties. His Open Championship exemption will expire in two years, after he turns 60, that means subsequent 12 months’s version at Royal Portrush might be his final.

The former Arkansas Razorback has not made a minimize in a serious since 2012, when he tied for 18th at Kiawah Island. He performed the weekend at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s earlier that summer time, too, tying for 81st.

Nevertheless, Daly has additionally struggled this season on the PGA Tour Champions. He has carded solely three sub-70 rounds throughout 11 occasions whereas posting six rounds of 80 or greater. His finest end this 12 months got here finally week’s Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, the place he tied for 56th. But that outcome was short-lived, as Daly is headed dwelling early from Royal Troon.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be positive to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.