SPRINGFIELD, NJ—Perseverance. It’s the one key word that summarizes the golf career of Jimmy Walker. Although the resident of Boerne, TX had won five times on the PGA Tour his presence was more of a 2nd tier player -- talented for sure but unable to really excel in the biggest of golf stages -- the game’s major championships.
That all changed when the 37-year-old former Baylor University star earned his first major golf championship in capturing the 98th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club by one stroke over world ranked number one Jason Day. Walker’s four round total of 266 bested the previous low four-round total ever shot on Baltusrol Lower by Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen who matched 273 totals in the 1980 and 1993 US Opens respectively. Walker’s four round total was also just one stroke higher than the existing record of 265 shot by David Toms in winning the ‘01 PGA Championship at The Atlanta Athletic Club.
Day took solo second and his 18th hole eagle added a bit of suspense as Walker was forced to par the closing hole. After hitting his second to the right of the green -- Walker pitched onto the putting surface and calmly two-putted for the win from 33 feet with the final putt struck firmly into the hole from three feet away.
Walker knew Sunday would be a long day -- 12 hours in total -- with 36 holes to play given the postponement of play he faced on Saturday because of persistent drenching rains. Over the last 28 holes he played error free golf -- no number beyond par on his scorecard scoring 67-67 for his final two rounds.
