John Daly came under fire from players, fans and media alike at last week’s PGA Championship, but even the blowback won’t discourage Long John from attempting to play in next month’s Open Championship.
Still suffering from the same debilitating right knee arthritis, the 1995 Champion Golfer of the Year is hoping to play in this year’s edition at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Casey Questions Daly’s Cart Use At PGA
“We have received a request from John Daly for permission to use a buggy at The Open, and it is currently under consideration,” an R&A spokesperson told Golf.com.
If the request is granted, Daly would become the first player in the history of golf’s oldest championship to compete while riding in a cart.
The R&A is still mulling John Daly’s request to use a cart at the British Open. https://t.co/wpGH2w0qnL pic.twitter.com/wMa3m6RCXC
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) May 23, 2019
Daly was granted permission to use a cart at last week’s PGA Championship, becoming the first player to ride in a cart in a major championship since Casey Martin did it in 2012. Applying to the PGA of America for a cart this year under its Americans with Disabilities Act policy, Daly’s “request was reviewed and approved,” according to a PGA statement.
Fan Calls Daly’s Cart “An Embarrassment To Golf
“Doctors tell me I’m too young to get a knee surgery, get it replaced,” Daly said last week at Bethpage Black. “I enjoy playing. I’m still competitive, and I think getting to play hopefully the British in a cart. Past champions, I think if we can play, no matter what it takes, I think we should.”
Daly also said the Open taking place in Northern Ireland should help his petition get passed through.
“Ireland is big on ADA like most countries should be, but trust me, if I could walk I’d rather walk,” he said. “I feel like I play better, always have played better when I walk.”
Daly is competing in this week’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, but following an opening-round 9-over par 79, he will likely not be playing the weekend in Rochester.
The Open Championship is scheduled to be played July 18-21.
