John Daly WDs from 2024 British Open; Ernie Els also leaves Royal Troon early

Both Daly and Els shot 82 during their opening rounds on Thursday.

As he did in his previous major appearance, John Daly withdrew on Friday morning ahead of the second round of the Open Championship at Royal Troon. He did the same during the 106th playing of the PGA Championship in Louisville earlier this year.

Daly, 58, the winner of the 1995 Open Championship, plays primarily on PGA Tour Champions and has made 11 starts this season, including one withdrawal.

Daly has five career PGA Tour wins.

Also, two-time Open winner Ernie Els left prior to Friday’s round, citing a problem with his back. Els won the Claret Jug in both 2002 and 2012.

Els won his first senior major last weekend, winning the 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone after firing a final-round 68, which put him at 10 under for the tournament, beating Y.E. Yang by one shot to win it.

Both Daly and Els shot 82 during their opening rounds on Thursday.