Feelgood finale for Walker
IT WASN’T close to the major championship season predicted, but it was no less fascinating for that. From the vicar’s son in april to the star-gazing Texan Jimmy Walker at the US PGA on Sunday, we had four majors that were hard-earned, not handed out.
For just the fifth year in majors history, we had four first-timers claiming the titles that matter most and yet, despite their inexperience at closing the deal at the highest level, there was not the slightest gag reflex on view, much less a full choke. No wonder they say majors are harder than ever to win.
Each gave us a belting story, from new father Danny Willett turning up at the last minute to win at augusta, to Dustin Johnson’s tale of redemption at the US Open. Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson put on a final round for the ages at Troon and then, at the US PGA, we had a moving story of fulfilment from Walker and caddie andy Sanders.
The first time these two met was at Baltusrol when they were a pair of hotshots playing in the 2000 US amateur Championship.
Walker recalled: ‘I remember thinking when I met him, “Wow, that’s andy Sanders, he’s really good”. and he tells me he said, “Wow, that’s Jimmy Walker, he hits it really far”.’
Sanders’s own dream of making it was cruelly cut short. One day while playing on the PGA Tour’s satellite circuit he woke with a searing pain behind his right eye. He thought it was a problem with his contact lens; the next thing he knew, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Rather than give up on his favourite sport, he tried his hand as a caddie and took Walker’s bag in 2008. No wonder the embrace the two men shared at the end was heartfelt. What started at Baltusrol had been realised at Baltusrol.
No-one could say they didn’t deserve it, even if defending champion Jason Day did make life interesting with a sensational eagle at the par-five 18th.
Walker won three times in 2014 and played well at the Ryder Cup that year. Now he will be in this year’s team, much to the amusement of those who enjoy a bit of gossip. Who knows the truth about why america’s two major winners this season don’t get along, but they do not?
It should not be a problem for US captain Davis Love III. Walker and Johnson were team-mates at the Presidents Cup last year without wrapping five-irons around each other’s necks.
It was, in fact, a good week for Love, with Walker joined in the top eight who earn automatic selection by gifted rookie Brooks Koepka. Love’s team looks stronger than it did a week ago.
It was a year in the majors, therefore, that underlined today’s formidable standard. We keep hearing that Day will end up with more majors than Rory McIlroy... seriously? Such is the game’s talent pool, Day will be doing well to reach McIlroy’s total of four majors, much less pass it.