Jimmy Walker wins title after keen battle
Unheralded American Jimmy Walker captured his first major title in wire-to-wire fashion, outdueling top-ranked defending champion Jason Day down the back nine Sunday at rain-softened Baltusrol to win
Unheralded American Jimmy Walker captured his first major title in wire-to-wire fashion, outdueling top-ranked defending champion Jason Day down the back nine Sunday at rain-softened Baltusrol to win the PGA Championship.
Trading dramatic shots over the final holes of a 36-hole golfing marathon, Walker and Australian star Day kept the drama intense to the last shot, a three-foot par putt by Walker at the 18th to claim a one-stroke win.
“Sometimes a par is tough,” Walker said. There were a lot of emotions out there... it was a battle all day.”
Day was at the 18th green to congratulate Walker after the tension-packed putt.
“I know how it feels,” Day said. “It’s a very special moment to be able to celebrate on the 18th green.”
Walker, a former top-10 player now set to rise from 48th in the rankings, fired a three-under par 67 in the final round to finish 72 holes on 14-under 266 and win his sixth US PGA crown.
The 37-year-old took the Wanamaker Trophy and the top prize of $1.8 million from a $10 million purse.
Walker, the PGA’s first wire-to-wire winner since Phil Mickelson at Baltusrol in 2005, missed the cut in three of the prior four majors and was never better than seventh in 17 prior major starts.