American Jimmy Walker claimed a one-shot lead after the delayed third round was finally completed on Sunday, carding a 68 at Baltusrol to finish 11 under par and a shot ahead of defending champion Jason Day.
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Walker sank the biggest putt of his career to win his first major.
Walker admitted: “It’s fantastic, surreal”.
“Sometimes, things just don’t come easy”, Walker said after hoisting the 17-kg Wanamaker Trophy, wonderful that he had any strength left after a 36-hole final day brought on by rain over the weekend. “But we got it”. “I’m going to take this attitude and I feel like I’m in a great place”.
“I saw Davis (Love, captain of the USA Ryder Cup team) this week and told him, ‘Man, I’d love to be on your team.’ Haven’t played that well this year, but I feel like there’s still time for me to play good at the end of the year to have a chance to get on the team or get the nod to get picked”, Walker said.
On his walk to the 18th green, Day threw his club in frustration reacting to the roar behind him, acknowledging Walker, in the pair behind him, had just made birdie on 17. “It was uphill and it looked good”. That’s just the way it goes. I learned that I am not into every golf shot I hit week-in and week-out on Tour. He’ll make the team and with the confidence that comes with winning a major title, his calm demeanor and smart play should lead to more success.
Day only managed one practice round at Baltusrol after feeling under the weather and then spending Tuesday night in hospital after his wife suffered an allergic reaction.
“It was a test today, it really was”, said Walker. I felt some things were clicking last week.
“The two iron into the green was probably one of the best two irons I’ve ever hit into a par five, especially under the circumstances. It’s not fun not winning, but I felt like I played well”. Emiliano (Grillo, his playing partner) came up to me and said the ball was scared of me when I hit it! At the same moment on the 17th green, Walker was lining up a tough putt for a birdie of his own. I was a little bit disappointed with The Open this year. “I haven’t played as well as I would have liked to”. So it was actually quite nice to be able to see him celebrate with his family and friends there.
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“I tried to give it a good run”. But I can’t be disappointed. “Henrik, he’s been around forever, FedEx Cup champion, won a lot of golf tournaments, great player”.
