John Daly returned to a Canton, Miss., golf tournament on Sunday not 24 hours after falling on the course with a collapsed lung that halted his breathing for several minutes.
John Daly plays golf with collapsed lung just a day after near-death experience
No pulse? No problem for John Daly, who reportedly stopped breathing for three minutes during a scary incident on a Mississippi golf course on Saturday. He was back on the tee to complete a friendly golf tourney less than a day later.
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The two-time major champion, who claims to smoke 40 cigarettes and down up to a dozen cans of Diet Coke in a day, was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Jackson on Saturday after blacking out during a local event.
Will Dottley is a professional golfer who was playing with Daly when the incident occurred. “I had my arm around him when he went down. He had no pulse and wasn’t breathing for close to three minutes,” Dottley told Golf Channel. He also noted that a nurse among the spectators gave Daly CPR. “It was kind of a miracle.”
Daly, who appeared to be struggling with the 90-degree heat before he faltered, according to Leigh Brannan, the Deerfield Country Club pro, recounted what happened.
“I was having a great time and then suddenly -- boom -- I’m falling down while on the 18th tee and the next thing I know I’m in an ambulance,” he said. “It was scary.”
X-rays taken at Baptist Medical Center revealed a collapsed lung. Daly’s agent, Bud Martin, contended that a rib injury incurred during a 2007 tour contest, that was still painful and affecting his client’s breathing, likely contributed to the situation.
Still very sore & dealing w/the issues from my rib injury in '07 that has caused me a lot of pain. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) August 30, 2015 Or maybe it was the result of Daly affixing a new tire to his son's golf cart earlier last week, which he said was the reason for his heavily taped right hand. "I had to change my swing some to get a good grip, and the doctor said the changed motion is likely what led to the collapsed lung," Daly told ESPN.
Whatever the cause of the collapse on the course and the collapsed lung, Daly maintained he would be back out there playing again on Sunday and there he was.
Photo evidence that John Daly is back on the golf course one day after collapsing at Deerfield, going to hospital. pic.twitter.com/JwKjkDss7A
— David Brandt (@davidbrandtAP) August 30, 2015 After the scare in Mississippi, Daly tweeted his gratitude to the Baptist Medical personnel and his fans.
Appreciate ALL those that have sent well wishes & prayers! Huge thank you to the Drs @ Baptist Medical that took great care of me yesterday!
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) August 30, 2015 See More:
