John Daly made a brief appearance at Royal Troon, having to withdraw after a first round finish of 82, a score he shares with fellow Past Champion Ernie Els, due to a flare-up of knee problems.

John Daly’s comments

Despite making a last-ditch effort to save a second round finish, John Daly was forced to bow out, explaining on X: “It breaks my heart to have to leave The Open.” “It’s not the same seeing it from afar but I know I worked really hard to be there.” “Thank you to all my fans and the R&A for the week at Royal Troon GC,” added John Daly.

JD capped the post with a hashtag of his own: #IliotibialBandSyndrome. But Daly didn’t go far after leaving the Open gates, as his destination was just 40 minutes from Troon. The 1995 Champion Golfer of the Year arrived at Trump Turnberry Resort, where he made a statement that surprised many.

“I’ve played a few holes, it’s great” “I think it’s the best course in Scotland” “St Andrews is my treasure (won the Open there in 1995, NDR), but I think I’ve found my new treasure” “We’re on the 18th green (Ailsa Course, NDR) and it’s all great”.

Daly made a stop at Turnberry before heading to Trump International Golf Links, the other club owned by Donald Trump, where he will take part in the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship hosted by Colin Montgomerie later this month.

Turnberry’s action and the associated statement have the appearance of a “sponsorship” by a Past Champion to support the initiative to bring the Ailsa Course back onto the Open Championship Route after it was immediately excluded from the course after it was purchased by the former President of the United States. These are all statements by John Daly.