“It was scary,” John Daly said, talking about his bladder cancer. “I was peeing blood, pukin’ blood. I thought my back was killing me, and I didn’t know.” We remember the chaos it caused in the sports world and the fear regarding his health. But Daly still felt it was better that it happened to him and not his kids. Now in the 2025 season, Daly has been in remission for 4 years.  “I’ve been in remission for the last four years, but I gotta get a checkup once a year now — thank God — and not two. Anyone who’s got bladder cancer, that thing that goes in your pee-pee don’t feel good.” 

However, its impact followed him into his games as well. Until the Hoag Classic, the golf icon hadn’t played on the PGA Champions Tour since October. And what he did play during the 2024 season wasn’t the best reflection of him as a golfer, and the blame goes to his illness and injuries. Even he admits! “I can’t set goals for golf anymore. 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.”

Look at his finishes, for instance. His best finish in 2024 came with T22 at the American Family Insurance Championship followed by T56 at the Kaulig Companies Championship. Additionally, he played at the PGA Championship and The Open Championship but had to withdraw from both after the first round. He first played this season at Hoag Classic and finished a respectable T56.

Having been through so many battles, what does the legendary golfer do? He takes a trip down memory lane and cracks jokes! In the latest video shared by the PGA Tour, John Daly is shown his 1992 trading card. Then, he is asked if he can believe it’s been thirty years. John Daly’s reply comes in a deadpan: “Thanks for reminding me.” And then he starts laughing! “I didn’t think I’d be out here for three decades, I’ve only been dead 11 times,” he says next. “I’m like Lazarus. I just keep coming back from the dead.” 

Though Daly is making a joke about it, we must realize it’s a pretty serious situation. His troubles did not end with the bladder cancer. Only two years after it, Daly had to go through a full knee replacement surgery. Then, he followed it with full knee replacement surgery on his other knee. Sadly, his history with injuries and illness is a long one! Despite this, the golfer is as active as ever. He is currently playing at The Galleri Classic at position 79. However, John Daly’s struggles have been long and exhausting.

John Daly has battled through a lot to reach his 2025 season

Of course, John Daly’s battle against cancer wasn’t the end of it, nor were the knee surgeries. Bad luck seemed to follow John Daly in the 2025 season with his hand. We all remember that day when John Daly shared that picture of himself in the hospital bed. Daly needed emergency surgery on his hand, and we couldn’t wait for an update from the 58-year-old golfer. His hand, folks, was bad. According to him, “The tendons were all wrapped around each other. [The doctor] doesn’t understand how I played last year. But he put it back, attached it to the forefinger or something. 16 surgeries in four years, I’ve lost count pretty much.” 

Talking about finally returning to the greens after a long break, the golfer said: “It’s good to be back. It’s been a little brutal, but the hand’s about 80 percent. So figured I’d come here. I love playing in the Hoag Classic. Every year, the guys are so great. So we’ll see what happens.” His game might not have been his best, however, fans are happy to see him on board as much as they have always been! Regardless, this wasn’t his first hand injury. Back in 2024, John Daly had to withdraw from the PGA Championship because of a thumb injury. Aside from this, Daly also battles with type 2 diabetes.

Fans now hope that his 2025 season will be more fulfilling. Honestly, we want the same! Earlier this year, John Daly shared his 2025 season schedule, including Augusta National. We don’t know if he will make it to The Masters, however, our hopes are in place. Here’s to us wishing him good luck!