John Daly really outdid himself this time – no, he really did. You’d think he would stay home after one of the most talked-about meltdowns in recent PGA Tour of Champions history, or at least take a break from the spotlight. But no. Daly’s doing the exact opposite. A few hours ago, the two-time major winner took to Instagram to announce the launch of the John Daly Charity Pro-Am, a brand-new tournament created in partnership with Agua Caliente Casinos in Palm Springs.

The event is set to take place from February 22–24, 2026, and will feature two days of foursomes play across two iconic California desert courses — Desert Willow Firecliff and the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort. Daly, never one to do things quietly, hinted that the event will mix competitive fun with fundraising for causes close to his heart, including charities supporting kids and veterans. A portion of the profits from the event, including proceeds from auctions, will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley, Daly’s local chapter back home.

The mission? “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” It’s a cause that hits close to home for Daly, who has long championed kids’ programs. The club’s vision is equally powerful — a world-class experience that helps youth stay on track to graduate, live healthy lives, and become leaders in their communities.

There’s no word yet on which pros or celebrity friends will be teeing it up, but knowing Daly, we can expect quite a lineup. Daly has always dedicated himself to giving back through charitable initiatives.

He co-founded the Heart of a Lion Foundation with Major Ed Pulido in 2020, a nonprofit focused on supporting children, veterans, and first responders. The foundation reflects everything Daly stands for — resilience, loyalty, and a fierce commitment to helping those in need.

Over the years, Daly has shown up for people in ways that go beyond the golf course — either donating $30,000 to a scholarship fund for the daughter of a man who died in a lightning strike, or handing $1,000 in cash to two kids raising money at a tournament. Through events like the upcoming Pro-Am and others he’s hosted, such as the John Daly Charity Classic at Sugarbush Golf Club in Michigan last year, Daly has built a strong legacy off the course, one rooted in generosity and impact.

Interestingly, this exciting announcement comes just a few weeks after what might have been Daly’s worst-ever day on a golf course.

During the first round of the Sanford International last month in Sioux Falls, Daly took a staggering 19 strokes to complete the par-5 12th at Minnehaha Country Club. After an errant tee shot into the rough, Daly proceeded to hit seven consecutive balls out of bounds — some into the water, others into the woods. Miraculously, once he finally reached the green, he only needed one putt. Still, the damage was done. He finished 18-over for the round, 24 shots behind the leader, and ultimately withdrew from the tournament.

This blowup broke his own record for highest score on a single hole — a score of 18 on the 6th hole at the Bay Hill Invitational in 1998. But blow-ups like this aren’t entirely new to Daly. He’s had double-digit hole scores at several high-profile events, including 14 strokes at the 18th during the 2000 U.S. Open and a 13 on the 4th hole at the 2011 John Deere Classic.

The bigger story, though, beyond his meltdown is what Daly’s been dealing with off the course.

John Daly’s charity event comes amid health struggles

His body has taken a beating over the years, and he has been fighting a brutal wave of health setbacks for years. It started with bladder cancer in 2020, a diagnosis that came after he began vomiting and urinating blood. “I thought it was just my back,” he later said.

The cancer was caught early and treated, and thankfully, Daly’s been in remission ever since. But that diagnosis kicked off a wave of health challenges for John Daly. Since then, he’s endured 16 surgeries, including two knee replacements, an emergency tendon surgery on his hand earlier this year, and a daily battle with type 2 diabetes.

Still, Daly has managed to play in 10 events this year, despite skipping several senior tour stops in 2025 – including the Regions Tradition, the Senior PGA Championship, and the Principal Charity Classic. His performance has wavered, sure, but his love for the game hasn’t. So maybe this new Pro-Am is less of a comeback and more of a reset, and also a way for Daly to continue giving back to the community, like he has been doing over the years.