John Daly withdraws from Open Championship days after cart request rejected

It’s official, John Daly has withdrawn from the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, according to a statement from R&A tournament officials.

The R&A cited a medical condition as the reason for Daly’s WD.

This weekend, the R&A declined Daly’s request to use a golf cart during The Open next week. In making their decision, the Championship Committee determined that walking is “an integral part of the Championship” and Daly’s cart use would be unfair to the rest of the field. They also cited the difficult terrain of the course and standing club policy against cart use.

Daly responded quickly on Twitter to express his disappointment in their decision. Due to osteoarthritis that he says could result in knee replacement surgery, Daly previously requested, and was permitted, to use a golf cart at the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, where he missed the cut. He earned spots in the PGA and The Open as a former champion of both tournaments.

Then on Monday, Daly tweeted that a spider bite he received in England resulted in an infection that led to sepsis, for which he was being treated.

While it’s bad news for Daly, it’s also good news for another pro.

PGA Tour veteran Kevin Streelman will replace Daly in the field at Portrush. He received the news via email, which he shared on Twitter.

🧐🧐🧐
Yes please

⁦@TheOpen⁩

🙌🏻🥳
Here we go pic.twitter.com/hJr0g1xQFY

— Kevin Streelman (@Streels54) July 9, 2019

The 2019 Open Championship begins next Thursday, July 18.

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