Golf Legend John Daly Undergoes Emergency Hand Surgery in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. — Golf legend John Daly, 58, underwent emergency hand surgery Tuesday and shared updates from his hospital bed in Tampa, Florida. The two-time major champion posted a photo on Instagram with his left hand bandaged, captioning it, “Emergency hand surgery… thankful (it) went great and Doc McClimans for taking care of me. Be back playing in no time!”

Daly, known for his hard-living lifestyle and charismatic presence on the golf course, did not disclose details about the injury or how it occurred. In a separate post, he expressed optimism about his recovery, writing, “Should be hitting ’em again soon! Thanks for all the messages.”

The surgery comes after a busy end to 2024 for Daly, who competed in the PNC Championship alongside his son, John Daly II, in December. The father-son duo, who won the event in 2021 and finished as runners-up in 2022, tied for eighth place this year at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.

Daly’s health has been a topic of discussion in recent years. In 2020, he revealed a benign bladder cancer diagnosis, requiring regular medical checkups. Despite his health challenges, Daly has continued to play on the PGA Champions Tour since becoming eligible in 2016. His unorthodox lifestyle, including a diet heavy on Diet Coke and cigarettes, has made him a fan favorite.

In a 2016 interview, Daly famously said, “I drink Diet Coke, I like to have ice which to me is water so I get plenty of water in my Diet Coke.” He also admitted to avoiding vegetables and consuming up to 20 Diet Cokes a day during his peak.

Daly’s recent surgery adds to a growing list of hand injuries among professional golfers. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recently underwent surgery for a puncture wound sustained on Christmas Day. Scheffler’s manager, Blake Smith, said the injury occurred while preparing dinner and required the removal of glass fragments from his palm.

As Daly recovers, fans are hopeful for his swift return to the golf course. The golf icon remains a beloved figure in the sport, known for his resilience and larger-than-life personality.