Golf fans were hit with concerning news on January 14! Golf’s bad boy, John Daly, had to undergo an emergency procedure on his hand. This is not the first time that Daly has had to deal with health concerns regarding his hand. In February 2024, the 1991 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year was forced to withdraw from the Chubbs Classic after a previous injury increased in intensity.

You see, Daly had osteoarthritis in his left hand, and hitting the hard ground on the 6th hole made the injury flare up, forcing him to forego further participation in the tournament. He had to undertake painful injections to deal with it. The concerns sure did not stop there. In May 2024, John Daly withdrew from a tournament yet again.

This time it was at the PGA Championship. He had shot an 82 in the first round but was forced to withdraw due to a thumb injury. He was already facing issues because of osteoarthritis in his left knee and type 2 diabetes, forcing him to use a cart on the field, the only player to do so. The severity of that injury was unclear, but the fan favorite was back on the course and teeing off soon after the incident. And seven months later, Long John was at the hospital dealing with an emergency hand surgery.

Daly shared an Instagram message post-surgery, writing, “Thank you to Doc McClimans for getting me mended back! Should be hitting em again soon!”  John Daly also thanked his well-wishers for the messages he received from them. What was surprising about this was that there was no indication as to why the procedure was deemed needed. Fans across social media were asking with concern as to why the hand surgery was required. So far, Daly has not publicized the reason.

His hand is not the only thing Daly went to an OT. He has also dealt with knee-related injury concerns, having undergone two knee replacement surgeries.

Knee issues also plague John Daly

Daly had a left knee replacement surgery in December 2022 right after featuring in the PNC Championship alongside his son John Daly II. “It’s tough when you don’t have a follow-through,” Daly said. “I’m basically just trying to stay on one leg. But the adrenaline of playing with my son will get me through.” He had his right knee replaced three years before the surgery on the left knee, via another surgical procedure.

However, John Daly, who suffers from osteoarthritis, has made strong comebacks time and again, despite all the injury-related obstacles. After the surgery in 2022, he was back in the PNC Championship in 2023 again playing alongside his son. It is more than likely that he will continue to remain a regular participant in the golfing circuit as soon as he recovers. Golf fans will be eagerly waiting for the 58-year-old to take the greens again with his trademark flamboyant style.

Here is to wishing ‘Long John’ a speedy recovery!!