John Daly Set for Golf Comeback After Emergency Hand Surgery
Golf icon John Daly is poised to make his anticipated return to professional golf, merely two months after undergoing emergency hand surgery that led to a hospital admission.
Concerns Raised Following Hospitalization
The 58-year-old sparked significant worry regarding his health when he shared a photograph from a hospital bed in January.
Accompanying the image, Daly informed his substantial online following of 800,000 that he had recently had an operation to address a hand ailment, while expressing determination to “be back playing in no time.”
Daly’s PGA Tour Return at Hoag Classic
Now, 64 days following the emergency procedure, Daly is scheduled to participate in his first PGA Tour event of the year at this week’s Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, California.
The popular golfer, known for his chain-smoking habit and cult hero status, is seen practicing at Newport Beach Country Club in videos shared by the PGA Tour on Instagram.
“John Daly is back!” the caption declared. “He’s prepared to make his first start of the year at this week’s @HoagClassic.”
John Daly is preparing to make his comeback to golf at the Hoag Classic this week.
The golf legend is returning to the PGA Tour just two months after emergency surgery.
‘Good to Be Back’ – Daly Updates on Recovery
In a subsequent video clip, Daly stated, “It’s good to be back. It’s been a little rough, but the hand’s about 80 percent. So figured I’d come here.”
He added, “I love playing in the Hoag Classic. Every year, the guys are so great. So we’ll see what happens.”
The Hoag Classic is scheduled to begin this Friday and conclude on Sunday evening.
Extent of Hand Injury Revealed
When questioned about the severity of his hand injury, Daly explained, “The tendons were all intertwined. [The doctor] doesn’t understand how I played last year.”
He continued, “But he reattached it, connected it to the forefinger or something.”
Daly mentioned the frequency of his operations, stating, “16 surgeries in four years, I’ve pretty much lost count.”
Daly’s Battle with Bladder Cancer
Daly, whose last appearance on the PGA Champions Tour was in October, recently discussed his experience with bladder cancer, revealing he has been in remission for several years.
During an interview on the ‘Like a Farmer’ podcast, the two-time major champion openly spoke about his health challenges, recalling incidents of “peeing and puking blood” prior to his cancer diagnosis.
Daly recently shared details about his fight with bladder cancer, confirming his long-term remission.
Perspective on Golf Amid Health Issues
“I can’t set goals for golf anymore,” Daly admitted on the podcast. “Dealing with bladder cancer and all the complications from surgeries, it’s not an excuse, but it’s just that nobody can perform optimally when they’re not healthy.”
He elaborated, “I go out there and give it my best effort, because I still want to play golf, and I still want to compete on the Champions Tour. I just want to compete at a higher level, which is currently challenging.”
However, Daly remains hopeful, stating, “But I’m going to keep working hard because you never know. If the putter gets hot… it doesn’t matter if you have a physical limitation, a hot putter can lead to really good golf. Because everyone on the tour can hit the ball well.”
He emphasized the importance of short game in crucial moments: “Everyone on tours hits it great, it’s just about making crucial shots, like a chip-in or a long par putt, similar to what Tiger Woods has done for years. It’s not always about eagles or birdies, sometimes it’s about sinking a 20-foot bogey putt or a 25, 30, or 40-foot par putt.”
Daly concluded, “When you make those, you walk off the green and think, ‘Okay, now I can really get going.'”