Golf legend questions 'scheduling' as reason for missing PGA Championship

Golf legend John Daly has confirmed he will unfortunately not be able to compete in the PGA Championship because of a scheduling issue that sees the Regions Tradition also taking place next week. 

Daly, 59, is eligible to compete in the PGA Championship having won the first of his two career majors there at Crooked Stick GC in 1991. 

The Wild Thing then added his second major title four years later on the famed Old Course at St Andrews in 1994. 

While Daly would love to compete in golf's second major of the season, he admits he wants to play in the first senior major of the season instead.

It just so happens that the Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Alabama has been fixed for the same dates as the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte from 15-18 May.

Tournament officials at Regions Tradition could have scheduled the senior major for this week, but they did not want it to clash with Mother's Day that falls on Sunday 11 May since it's tougher to garner crowd support. 

Then the week after the PGA Championship and Regions Tradition is the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional from May 22-25. 

Daly has therefore confirmed he will bypass the PGA Championship and instead play in the Regions Tradition, despite knowing full well he could collect a simple $6,000 just for rocking up at Quail Hollow Club. 

"I can go there and miss the cut and get $6,000," Daly told the Associated Press, before questioning the Tour's schedule. 

"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?"

It should also be noted Daly is still recovering from surgery that he underwent on his left hand in January. 

Daly admits he is still struggling to get through the ball on three-quarter shots, and he is also lacking with feel on the greens. 

Testament to him finishing 27-over par at last week's Insperity Invitational on the PGA Tour Champions. 

But if anyone knows about battling through injuries and health scares then it's 19-time professional winner John Daly. 

"I'm like Lazarus - I keep coming back from the dead," continued Daly.

"Waking up is a win for me."

Check out the field for the PGA Championship