John Daly and others are missing one major — for another.
The popular professional golfer and others who were eligible had a choice this week: play in the PGA Championship or compete in the Regions Tradition, a major on the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions circuit. Since the PGA Championship moved to its May date in 2019, this scheduling conflict had been avoided until this year.
The result? Five 50-and-over players who qualified for the PGA Championship by winning the event previously — John Daly, Y.E. Yang, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, and David Toms — are playing the Regions Tradition, though only Daly, Yang, and Love have participated in the PGA Championship since the May switch. Notably, six 50-and-over players are at the PGA Championship — Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson, Richard Bland, Shaun Micheel, Justin Hicks, and Bob Sowards — though only Harrington regularly competes on the Champions circuit.
In an interview with the Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson, Daly expressed support for both the PGA Championship, played this year at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Regions Tradition, held at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama.
“I can go there and miss the cut and get $6,000,” Daly said of the PGA Championship, which last year paid $4,000 to players who missed the cut. “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?”
Since the PGA Championship’s move to May in 2019, the Regions Tradition has avoided overlapping, but four of the five times the tournaments have been held in May, the Champions event has concluded on Mother’s Day. According to the Associated Press, the tournament sought to avoid this clash with Mother’s Day this year.
As a result, Daly and others will be notable absences from this week’s PGA Championship. Below are eight more surprising absences.
Surprising players you won’t see at the PGA Championship
Billy Horschel
Why it’s surprising: He’s the highest-ranked player, at No. 24, not in the field. However, he recently announced he is undergoing hip surgery and will miss several weeks.
Shaun Norris
Why it’s surprising: At No. 101, he’s the highest-ranked, non-injured player not in the field. According to the Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson, Norris declined an invitation due to his mother’s health.
Luke Clanton
Why it’s surprising: At No. 106, he’s the next highest-ranked, non-injured player not in the field. However, as an amateur, he is ineligible for the professional-only event.
Tiger Woods
Why it’s surprising: As a winner of 15 majors, including four PGA Championships, his absence will be notable if he continues to miss events. This year, he is recovering from surgery on his left Achilles tendon.
Lucas Herbert
Why it’s surprising: He’s the highest-ranked professional in the LIV Golf standings not in the field, and he won last week at the International Series Japan.
Marc Leishman
Why it’s surprising: Leishman is one of two LIV Golf winners this year not in the field.
Adrian Meronk
Why it’s surprising: Meronk is the other LIV Golf winner not in the field.
Alex Smalley
Why it’s surprising: As the first alternate, Smalley will play if someone withdraws.
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