2024 PGA Championship: Is John Daly Part of the Valhalla Field?

The Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., is about to host the PGA Championship 2024 from May 16–19. However, what is yet to be confirmed is the complete list of golfers who will be participating this season. The entire confirmed field will be out after CJ Cup Byron Nelson’s conclusion. The reigning champion, Brooks Koepka, will surely be gracing the greens. and many other exciting names are expected to show up as well!

One name that fans would be thinking of is the 58-year-old golfer and renowned bad boy of golf, John Daly! Will he be teeing off at the Valhalla too? The question arises because he withdrew from the championship last year. Good news for all Long John fans! He is expected to play in the tournament this year!

Daly is a veteran golfer with a career spanning over 37 years. With him turning into a pro back in 1987, Daly won two major championships: the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open. Thanks to his 1991 victory at the 73rd edition, the golfer has a lifetime exemption to compete in the PGA Championship. 

John Daly might be seen on the greens with other past winners. This year, a total of 16 past winners are expected to play. Talking about his WD last year, the golfer seemed sad. The golfer, in his withdrawal statement, remarked, “I’m really disappointed to miss the PGA Championship. This major means the world to me and will always have a special place in my heart. I wish the best to those competing.” Stephen Jaeger took Daly’s spot in the competition last year. 

The PGA Championship sure holds a special place in the golfer’s heart because his 1991 victory will always be echoed in history! Why? Well, because the stars aligned beautifully for Daly that year.

How did Daly find a spot in the 73rd edition of the PGA Championship? 

Almost all golf fans can agree that 1991 was Daly’s year. Not one, not two, but after eight golfers withdrew from the PGA Championship, Daly got his chance as a reserve. After Mark James let Dave Barr replace him, the latter also had to skip. The spot was then taken by Lee Trevino, who withdrew because of exhaustion. It then saw Keith Clearwater fill in.

The third replacement, however, was between Buick Open winner Brad Faxon and Mark Wiebe, as the former was already in the field. John Daly’s name was still not halfway through, and he had been quite unknown. The Keeper of the PGA Tour’s alternate list, Ken Anderson, had noted, “I had to go and look him up in a player guide so I knew what he looked like in case I had to go find him!”

Following this, Bob Wolcott, Doug Tewell, and three other alternatives were called up. Finally, the stars aligned for Daly as he was called in for his tee time the following afternoon after Nick Price withdrew because he was about to become a father. In the end, Daly created one of the most iconic legacies by winning the PGA Championship as a ninth alternative.

Do you think John Daly will possibly win? As we wait for the official list of participants, who do you think will win this year?