Daniel Berger’s comeback season on the PGA Tour came to an abrupt end on Sunday after he was forced to withdraw from the BMW Championship with a finger injury. The four-time PGA Tour winner had worked hard all year to regain his form, but his hopes of making it to the Tour Championship at East Lake slipped away when he pulled out before the final round..
Injury Ends Berger’s Positive Run
Berger sustained the injury in the first round at Caves Valley Golf Club. He hurt his finger on a swing and was later seen icing it during the broadcast. He was 2-over-par through 54 holes and sitting well outside the position he needed to move on in the FedEx Cup Playoffs at that stage. Entering the week ranked 33rd in the FedEx Cup standings, he needed a strong finish to climb inside the top 30 and secure his first trip to the Tour Championship since 2021. His withdrawal ended that chance.
The American missed out on the Tour Championship but had qualified for all of next season’s Signature Events after making the top 50 in the FedExCup at the BMW Championship. The 32-year-old needed a minimum two-way tie for 33rd to make it to Atlanta and have a chance to win the FedExCup. He last played in the Tour Championship in 2021.
Berger has put in several impressive performances this year. He has made 16 of 20 cuts and recorded nine top-25 finishes. He came close to returning to winning ways for the first time since the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finishing runner-up (T2) at the WM Phoenix Open earlier this year.
Berger Has Plenty of Positives To Take Away
This is Berger’s second year on Tour since returning from a lingering back injury. He made his comeback at the 2024 American Express after being sidelined since the 2022 U.S. Open, as he took time off to address serious back pain that prevented him from carrying out routine tasks.
This season felt like a new beginning for Berger. After missing most of 2022 and struggling through 2023, he showed signs of returning to his best. He was also in the mix to be considered for the U.S. Ryder Cup team later this fall. While not a lock, another strong playoff run could have helped his case. With his latest injury, that possibility now seems unlikely.
The timing of the injury will hurt the 33-year-old even more. But despite the disappointment, there is plenty Berger can take away from this season. He showed flashes of the game that once made him a top-20 player in the world. He proved he can still contend with the best on Tour. And while the season ends earlier than expected, he leaves 2025 with a foundation to build on heading into next year.
Main Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
