John Daly and others are missing one major — for another.
The popular pro and others who were qualified had a choice this week — play in the PGA Championship, or tee it up 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, the option had been avoided until this year.
The result? Five 50-and-over players who qualified for the PGA Championship by winning the event previously — Daly, Y.E. Yang, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh and David Toms — are playing the Regions Tradition, though only Daly, Yang and Love have played in the PGA since the May switch. Notably, there are also six 50-and-over players at the PGA — Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson, Richard Bland, Shaun Micheel, Justin Hicks and Bob Sowards — though only Harrington plays regularly on the Champions circuit.
In an interview with the Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson, Daly said he supports both the PGA, played this year at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., and the Regions Tradition, played at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Ala.
“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’s move in 2019, the Regions Tradition has avoided the overlap, but four of the five times the tournaments have been played in May, the Champions event has finished on a Mother’s Day, and the Associated Press story said the tournament had wanted to avoid that this year.
With that, Daly and others will count as one surprising absence for this week’s PGA. Below are eight more.
Billy Horschel
Why it’s surprising: He’s the highest-ranked player, at No. 24, not in the field. But he recently said he’s undergoing hip surgery and he’ll 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’ Ferguson, Norris turned down 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. But he’s also an amateur, and the event is for professionals only.
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Tiger Woods
Why it’s surprising: As a winner of 15 majors, including four PGAs, he’ll likely be on this list for a while should he miss play. But this year, he’s recovering from a surgery to his left Achilles tendon.
Lucas Herbert
Why it’s surprising: He’s the highest-ranked pro 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’s one of two LIV Golf winners this year not in the field.
Adrian Meronk
Why it’s surprising: Meronk’s the other LIV Golf winner not in the field.
Alex Smalley
Why it’s surprising: As the first alternate, Smalley will play should someone drop out.
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