Former Open champion John Daly will try to play โthrough the painโ at Royal Portrush after seeing his request to use a golf cart turned down by the R&A.
Daly, 53, had been permitted to use a buggy in the US Open, approved under the Americans With Disabilities Act, because of a knee problem but later failed to make the cut at Bethpage Black.
The American, who won the 1995 Open at St Andrews in a play-off against Costantino Rocca, wanted to use the cart for this yearโs championship, which begins in County Antrim on July 18.
Full statement on John Dalyโs request to use a buggy at The 148th Open.
— The Open (@TheOpen) 6 July 2019
Click Here👉 https://t.co/pbNwfprfGj pic.twitter.com/qsfqXjCeoQ
However, while the R&A expressed sympathy with Daly over his condition, it said players โwalking the course is an integral part of the Championship and is central to the tradition of links golf which is synonymous with The Openโ.
Following the response from the Championship Committee, Daly took to social media to express his disappointment and stressed he planned to โgive it a shotโ over the Northern Ireland course, adding โfingers crossed I can make it thru the painโ.
Daly is permitted to use a cart at events on the PGA Tour Champions circuit because of the degenerative arthritis in his right knee.
The American wrote on Twitter: โQuite disappointed they do not see it the same way our PGA of America and PGA Tour sees it. Different continents different laws???
The 148th Open at Royal Portrush...... pic.twitter.com/RAOLQUmfLY
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) 6 July 2019
โAs a proud Open champion, I know what the Open Championship represents and what a special tournament it is.
โAll who have earned the right to compete should be afforded that right to compete and give it their best shot.
โWhile I trust the R&Aโs decision was made with good intentions, I could not disagree more with their conclusions.โ
โI walked with a broken leg.โ
— PGA of America (@PGA) 14 May 2019
Friendly reminder @TigerWoods is as tough as they come. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/01wyfhQWEa
Daly confirmed he had been advised his doctor he would need โeither unicompartment or total knee replacementโ.
He added: โBefore that comes my plan is to give it a shot in 2 weeks at Portrush. Fingers crossed I can make it thru the pain.โ
The R&A, though, maintained it had made the decision in the interests of all players at this yearโs event.
โWe have carefully considered the request from John Daly to use a buggy at The Open,โ a statement from the R&A read.
โWe appreciate the difficulty John is facing and have full sympathy for him as this is clearly a serious, long-term condition. Having considered all of the relevant factors, the Championship Committee has decided to decline his request.
โWe believe that walking the course is an integral part of the Championship and is central to the tradition of links golf which is synonymous with The Open. We must also ensure that, as far as possible, the challenge is the same for all players in the field.โ
Links golf at its finest - Royal Portrush ⛳️ Who will overcome the elements next month? 🌊💨 pic.twitter.com/cXiDhICTQc
— The Open (@TheOpen) 28 June 2019
The statement added: โThe terrain at Royal Portrush is not suited to buggies and indeed the club itself does not permit their use. We have a serious concern that some parts of the course, where there are severe slopes and swales, would be inaccessible.
โThis is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe it is the right one for The Open.
โJohn has a special place in our hearts as a Champion Golfer and he will always be welcome at the Championship both at Royal Portrush and in future.โ