“It’s making recovery harder” - PGA Champions Tour pro Jerry Kelly gives crucial injury update

Modified Oct 12, 2024 11:02 GMT

Kaulig Companies Championship - Final Round - Source: Getty — Jerry Kelly gives crucial injury update (Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Jerry Kelly is currently competing at the 2024 SAS Championship. The Champions Tour tournament is being held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina from Friday, October 11 to 13. He recently provided an injury update, saying that the medications might have been hindering his recovery process.

In June, the 57-year-old revealed that he had been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. He recently gave an update on his condition and said (via PGA Tour Champions):

"No, I'm not feeling...I've gotten to 70%. I'd say, I'm improving. You know, the issues are still there. I've got some relief, but there's still so much protecting going on and so many nerve shots that come through, so I'll get another nerve block before I have to possibly have surgery, but that's one of those things."

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that attacks healthy body cells and causes inflammation in joints and surrounding tissues. He further said:

"We'll play it as I go. If I keep on improving, then there's no reason for surgery, but I just love being out here. I love playing. It's not doing me any good sitting on a couch. It's just not my M.O., so here I am," he added.

Kelly has used chemomedication to fight the disease. In earlier interviews, he has said that the arthritis has caused him fatigue and pain more bearable than normal. He has also faced difficulties in opening and closing hands.

The PGA Tour Champions player further quoted the PGA Tour Champions post and wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the RA and medications might have contributed to ruptured discs and are making recovery harder.

"I'm not positive that RA and the terrible meds I was on ruptured my discs at L4&L5…but guessing it's making recovery harder. Thank you to everyone who’s given me the information and support! I greatly appreciate all of it:)"

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Jerry Kelly had a strong start at the 2024 SAS Championship. He carded 5-under 67 in the first round and is tied for third with Matt Gogel. He scored six birdies against a bogey on the first day.

The American professional golfer has had 20 wins in his career with 11 of them coming on the PGA Tour Champions.

A look at Jerry Kelly's performances in 2024

Jerry Kelly has had a decent 2024 season. In 17 starts, he has had three top-5, seven top-10, and 12 top-20 finishes. He is currently positioned 11th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Kelly's best performances include a T2 at the Cologuard Classic, a third-place finish at the Kaulig Companies Championship, and a T5 finish at the Hoag Classic.

Let's take a look at Jerry Kelly's performances in the 2024 season: