Next week, the 2025 PGA Championship will be missing one of its most iconic and unpredictable personalities as John Daly will not be part of the field at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Known for his colorful character, Daly first stunned the golf world when he unexpectedly emerged from obscurity to win the 1991 PGA Championship as an alternate. However, this year, the 59-year-old will be heading in a different direction—participating in a PGA Tour Champions event instead.
Daly will make his way to Birmingham, Alabama, to play in the Regions Tradition, the first major event of the senior tour’s season. Although Daly holds a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship, granted by his past victory of the prestigious Wannamaker Trophy, he decided to skip this year’s tournament due to a scheduling conflict. Instead of taking a chance at the PGA Championship, where he acknowledged the possibility of missing the cut and earning just $6,000, Daly has chosen to compete in the Regions Tradition.
“I can go there (PGA Championship) and miss the cut and get $6,000,” Daly explained to the Associated Press. “But I’m playing Birmingham. I love Regions. They’re a great sponsor. But why are they scheduling Regions the same week as the PGA Championship, where I can see Brooks (Koepka) and all the guys?”
Daly’s PGA Championship record since his memorable victory in 1991 has been far from spectacular. Despite his legendary win at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Indiana, 34 years ago, he has only managed one top-20 finish in the event since then. Furthermore, he hasn’t made the cut at the PGA since 2012 and withdrew from last year’s tournament, adding to a pattern of struggles at this prestigious competition.
Although Daly has faced challenges in recent years, including recovering from hand surgery and dealing with injuries, his popularity on the Champions Tour remains undeniable. This season, despite his struggles in four starts, he remains a beloved figure on the course. His unorthodox rise to fame, vibrant wardrobe choices, and everyman charm continue to endear him to fans of all ages. Daly’s resilience has been a defining part of his career; after battling personal demons like alcohol and gambling issues that almost derailed his golfing future, he has fought his way back into the sport.
Now, with the 2025 PGA Championship about to begin, Daly’s decision to skip the major speaks volumes about his current priorities. His focus will be on the Regions Tradition, where he can continue to enjoy the game on his own terms, despite the challenges he’s faced. While he may not be teeing off at Quail Hollow, the golf world still watches with interest as Daly continues to carve out his place in the senior tour—remaining one of the most unforgettable figures in the sport, both for his past triumphs and his enduring, eccentric charm.
