SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (AP) – One of the last people who would have predicted Jimmy Walker’s win in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol was the man himself.
Though Walker felt some improvement last week at the Canadian Open, he’d struggled much of the year, particularly in the majors. And he’d never really come close to winning in golf’s biggest events.
So after a pressure-packed par on the final hole gave Walker a one-stroke win over defending champion Jason Day on Sunday, he was somewhat surprised and plenty relieved.
“I wouldn’t have called this, but it’s huge,” Walker said. “It’s nice to get in the position and keep the hammer down and keep making birdies and playing well.”
Walker played so well in one of the strangest PGA Championships in recent memory that he led wire to wire. And after Day eagled 18 to close within one stroke, Walker played a solid third shot from the rough near the 18th green, then two-putted in near darkness for his first major title.