Danny Walker, The Rookie Golfer Who Seized an Opportunity

On Thursday morning, Jason Day needed to withdraw from the Participant Championship attributable to 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 at the least three.  He would see occasions held in Orlando and Tampa Bay any likelihood he received.  Walker has been going for his tour card since 2018, he has narrowly missed the lower every time he tried.  For an extended whereas he solely had his Ferry Korn Tour Card which he misplaced in 2023.  He was going by means of the PGA Tour Q Faculty throughout this time the place he solely received so far as the second stage.  Unusually 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 received 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 absolutely anticipating to not compete in any respect.  Getting into a match as an alternate participant is just not a reliable technique.  Certain it would get gamers on an inventory however it’s no assure, as Wesley Brian realized throughout the Mexico Open.  But Walker received the decision and remains 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 a bit of child, particularly residing right here domestically,” Walker mentioned Thursday. “Actually, I went and sat in my automotive for a couple of minutes afterwards and simply form of let it hit me a bit of bit, possibly 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 truly have the ability to play.  On the time he received 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 telephone name.”

An hour and a half after that decision he was teeing as much as a confused however supportive crowd.  He began getting increasingly more 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, practically 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’re going to just like the excited perspective he brings into the game whereas nonetheless younger.  It is going to be enjoyable to see what he has in retailer for the longer term.  Between Walker, Danny Checklist, Karl Vilips, and others, this has been an attention-grabbing season begin for PGA rookies.

Fundamental Photograph Credit score:  © Jeff Swinger-Imagn Photos