PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Anna Radulsky of Lynnfield, who held the sign for Scott Livingston and Bradley Rollinson, was given two signed golf balls for her work.
By MIKE ALONGI
PEABODY — As the week of US Senior Open festivities got underway Monday at Salem Country Club, fans were hit with some unfortunate news about a fan favorite on both the PGA and the Senior Tour.
John Daly withdrew from the 2017 U.S. Senior Open Championship because of a shoulder injury. The announcement came as the first day of practice rounds was coming to a close. Fans across the grounds found the news disappointing, as Daly is certainly one of the draws of any tournament he competes in.
“That’s too bad, it would’ve been nice to see him out here,” said John McGee of Middleton. “I know he still hits the ball a mile, so it would’ve been interesting to see how he plays this course.”
Daly hasn’t played since May 28, when he finished tied for 17th place at the Senior PGA Championship. He earned his first win on the PGA Champions Tour with a victory at the Insperity Invitational on May 7. He is currently 11th on the Champions Tour money list.
While there were plenty of fans looking forward to seeing how Daly played the windy fairways of SCC, there were others who simply wanted to see the two-time PGA Tour major winner’s elaborate clothing on the course.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know he was playing, but I would’ve loved to see his crazy pants out there,” Salem’s Sheri Thompson said jokingly. “He would’ve been the easiest person in the North Shore to spot.”
Daly, who stunned the golf world with an out-of-nowhere win at the 1991 PGA Championship and later won the 1995 Open Championship, turned the bright colors and crazy patterns on his pants into a business partnership with Loudmouth Golf, a company that specializes in elaborate designs for golf apparel.
Daly will be replaced in the field by Ted Tryba of Orlando, the second alternate from the Dunedin, Fla., sectional qualifying site.
Tryba, 50, shot 70 at Dunedin Golf Club on June 8. He is playing in his first U.S. Senior Open. Tryba competed in five U.S. Opens, with his best finish a tie for 37th in 2000 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.
Tryba will play with Jeff Sluman and Bob Tway in the first two rounds. The group will start Thursday’s first round at 7:52 a.m. from the first tee.
