Golf Legend John Daly Reveals Bloody Truth About Bladder Cancer Battle

Golf legend John Daly, 58, has opened up about his four-year battle with bladder cancer, revealing the harrowing moments leading up to his diagnosis and how he's managing life after remission.

In a recent appearance on the "Like a Farmer Podcast," Daly recounted the chilling experience that led him to seek medical attention. "It was scary," he confessed. "I was peeing blood, puking blood. ... I thought my back was killing me." A checkup in Little Rock unearthed the unexpected diagnosis. "I was fixin' to go to Hooters, get some wings in Little Rock, and [the doctor] called and said, 'No, don't eat anything. Gotta get you back over here.' And I go, ‘Why?’ And [he said], 'Well, you have bladder cancer.'"

Daly, ever the fighter, found solace in the fact that his children were spared such a health ordeal. "As long as it's me and not my kids, I can deal with it," he said. Thankfully, the cancer was caught in time, and he's been in remission for the last four years. However, he admits that the annual checkups are no walk in the park. "Anyone who's got bladder cancer, that thing that goes in your pee-pee don't feel good," Daly quipped, always managing to mix humor with his raw honesty.

The journey hasn’t been easy, and Daly acknowledged that his health struggles have taken a toll on his golf game. "I can't set goals for golf anymore," he admitted. "Fighting the bladder cancer and all that crap with all the surgeries, it's not an excuse. It's just nobody can play great when they're not healthy." Still, the two-time major champion remains determined to keep swinging. "I just wanna compete better, and right now there's no way I can. But I'm gonna keep grinding it out 'cause you never know. That putter gets hot... you can play some really good golf."

In addition to his cancer battle, Daly revealed he underwent emergency hand surgery in January, promising fans he’d "be back playing in no time." However, he hasn't played on the PGA Champions Tour since October. Last year, Daly participated in the PGA Championship and The Open Championship but withdrew after the first round in both tournaments.

Over his celebrated career, Daly has racked up five PGA Tour victories, including triumphs at the PGA Championship in 1991 and the British Open in 1995. His last PGA Tour win came in 2004 at the Buick Invitational. More recently, Daly won the 2021 PNC Father-Son Championship with his son, John Daly II, adding a heartwarming chapter to his storied career.

Despite nearly $13 million in career winnings, Daly’s legacy extends far beyond dollar signs. His resilience, humor, and unyielding love for the game make him a true icon. Here’s hoping that hot putter he dreams of becomes a reality soon.