On Thursday morning, Jason Day needed to withdraw from the Participant Championship as a consequence of an sickness. This created a gap for an inventory of alternate gamers, and the one who managed to get in was Danny Walker. A participant who solely joined the PGA Tour this yr didn’t also have a assured place on the Gamers Championship. Now that Walker has been formally launched to the PGA Tour, many followers asking: “who’s he?”
Danny Walker’s Historical past
Rising up in Florida, he all the time had a love for golf since he was no less than three. He would see occasions held in Orlando and Tampa Bay any probability he acquired. Walker has been going for his tour card since 2018, he has narrowly missed the reduce every time he tried. For a protracted whereas he solely had his Ferry Korn Tour Card which he misplaced in 2023. He was going by means of the PGA Tour Q College throughout this time the place he solely acquired so far as the second stage. Surprisingly sufficient, throughout this time he was going by means of college for astrophysics class as a backup plan.
Walker lastly earned his Tour card by means of the Korn Ferry Marketing campaign in 2024. He managed to complete at quantity 28 and acquired his card by being within the prime 30 for the marketing campaign.
How Did He Get In The Gamers Championship?
Within the lead-up to his name to take Jason Day’s spot, Danny Walker was totally anticipating to not compete in any respect. Coming into a match as an alternate participant is just not a reliable technique. Certain it should get gamers on an inventory however it’s no assure, as Wesley Brian realized in the course of the Mexico Open. But Walker acquired the decision and continues to be ecstatic about it. When he was requested about how he felt about it he instructed reporters that he:
“Needed to play on this occasion since I used to be slightly child, particularly residing right here regionally,” Walker mentioned Thursday. “Actually, I went and sat in my automobile for a couple of minutes afterwards and simply type of let it hit me slightly bit, perhaps let a tear out. However, no, it was all nice. I used to be simply excited.”
He would describe his entry as feeling “surreal”, once more he was not anticipating to really be capable to play. On the time he acquired the decision he was even busy within the restroom:
“I used to be within the locker room within the restroom [when I got the call],” Walker mentioned with a smile on Saturday night. “Needed to take that cellphone name.”
An hour and a half after that decision he was teeing as much as a confused however supportive crowd. He began getting an increasing number of feedback as spectators began turning into followers of him and began recognizing him all through the day. He managed to get into sixth place for the Championship, almost making it to face off in opposition to the highest names on the occasion.
What’s Subsequent For Danny Walker
It could be his first season with PGA Tour however Danny Walker is already getting a modest following. His efficiency on the Gamers Championship has resulted in a quickly-growing fan base. They already like how he performs and they will just like the excited perspective he brings into the game whereas nonetheless younger. It will likely be enjoyable to see what he has in retailer for the long run. Between Walker, Danny Record, Karl Vilips, and others, this has been an fascinating season begin for PGA rookies.
Major Photograph Credit score: © Jeff Swinger-Imagn Photographs
