Without John Daly, the U.S. Senior Open just got a lot less interesting
John Daly has withdrawn from this year’s U.S. Senior Open, and the event lost a ton of buzz.
Apparently, the USGA is allowing Champions Tour golfers to use golf carts at this year’s U.S. Senior Open under certain circumstances. John Daly thought he had a case for such a medical exception, due to osteoarthritis in his right knee, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
But according to USA TODAY, after his request to use a cart was refused, Daly withdrew from the 2018 U.S. Senior Open on Monday. There are of course, dueling statements on the story. First from Daly, then from the USGA.
"I’ve been fighting this (injury) for so long and it’s my career they’re screwing around with here,’’ Daly, 52, told USA TODAY Sports Monday. “I’m pissed because I’ve been playing good golf and I want to play golf, that’s what I do for a living. But you know, you can’t walk 18 holes, you can’t walk 18 holes."
"We offered Mr. Daly the opportunity to provide additional information to support his request for a cart. He informed us this morning that he decided to withdraw."
Unfortunately— I had to WD from the US SENIOR OPEN. The deteriorating osteoarthritis isn’t helping my rt knee. I fall under the @ADANational but @USGA turned down a cart for me this week. Just going to give the knee a rest. Don’t know what’s ahead for me. https://t.co/Bna5maK13P
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) June 25, 2018
I’m not going to mislead the media or my fans. No “additional information” was ever requested, or it would have been provided. I “WD” bc @USGA had already made their decision after our exhaustive medical submission. Any claim to the contrary is pure fiction. https://t.co/6EfnBnkqaJ
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) June 26, 2018
The 2018 U.S. Senior Open is next week at the East Course of The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Daly’s noted ability as a long hitter would have been nice to see in high altitude, to go along with his unique sense of fashion style. A history of notable single hole blow-ups would have also added a lot of interest to the tournament.
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Any benefit of the doubt is hard to give to either side, given history, but Fox can’t be very happy with Daly’s decision to withdraw and whatever role the USGA played in it. Television ratings for a U.S. Senior Open probably aren’t fantastic anyway, and Daly could be considered a draw for Champions Tour events near the level of Tiger Woods for regular tour events. Now that’s gone, along with any casual interest in this year’s U.S. Senior Open.