NEW YORK - Two-times major winner John Daly says that concerns about his health amid the Covid-19 pandemic had prompted his decision to withdraw from this week's PGA Championship.
Daly, known as "Wild Thing" during his heyday on the PGA Tour, withdrew on Sunday from the Aug. 6-9 event, one of golf's four majors, which will be played at San Francisco's TPC Harding Park without spectators.
The 54-year-old, who won the event in 1991, is one of several players, including former World No 1 Lee Westwood and Italy's Francesco Molinari, to decide not to play.
"People keep asking why I (withdrew) from PGA???" Daly said on Twitter. "California now #1 in cases/deaths, I had knee surgery, I’m a diabetic & I don’t feel comfortable flying.
"Being too close proximity to even small crowds & risk exposure with my health not worth it!"
People keep asking why I WD from PGA??? California now #1 in cases/deaths, I had knee surgery, I’m a diabetic & I don’t feel comfortable flying. Being too close proximity to even small crowds & risk exposure with my health not worth it! God Bess & y’all be safe!
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) August 3, 2020
The tweet marked a shift in tone from April when he joked about vodka and Diet Coke being a "cure" for Covid-19. He later said he meant no harm with his comment.
Reuters