Golf icon John Daly is preparing to tee off at the Hoag Classic this week, marking his return to the PGA Tour just two months after emergency hand surgery. The 58-year-old alarmed fans in January when he posted a hospital bed photo, revealing the procedure to his 800,000 followers. He promised a swift comeback, and now, 64 days later, Daly steps back onto the course at Newport Beach Country Club.
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The PGA Tour shared Instagram videos of the chain-smoking fan favorite practicing. "John Daly is back!" the caption announced. "He's set to make his first start of the year at this week's @HoagClassic." In one clip, Daly grinned and said, "It's good to be back. It's been a little brutal, but the hand's about 80 percent." He added, "I love playing in the Hoag Classic. The guys are so great. So we'll see what happens."
The tournament kicks off Friday and wraps up Sunday evening. Daly's last PGA Champions Tour event was in October, and his health struggles have taken a toll. He recently detailed the hand injury's severity. "The tendons were all wrapped around each other," he said. "The doctor doesn't understand how I played last year." After 16 surgeries in four years, Daly admitted, "I've lost count."
John Daly Refuses to Quit
Beyond his hand, Daly has faced bigger battles. On the "Like a Farmer" podcast, he opened up about overcoming bladder cancer, now in remission for years. He recalled "peeing and puking blood" before the diagnosis, a grim chapter in his journey. "I can't set goals for golf anymore," he said. "Fighting the bladder cancer and all that crap with all the surgeries, it's not an excuse -- it's just nobody can play great when they're not healthy."
Still, Daly refuses to quit. "I get out there and do my best, but I still wanna play on the Champions Tour," he said. "I just wanna compete better, and right now there's no way I can." Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic. "I'm gonna keep grinding it out 'cause you never know," he added. "That putter gets hot, I don't care if you got one arm, one leg -- you can play some really good golf."
Daly emphasized the small moments that define the game. "It's not about an eagle or a birdie," he said. "Sometimes it's about a 20-foot bogey putt or a 40-foot par putt. You make it, walk off, and say, 'Okay, I'm gonna go get it now.'" As he gears up for the Hoag Classic, fans eagerly await whether Daly's putter will heat up this weekend.
