Golfer Gary Woodland secured his first major victory at the 2019 US Open. However, a severe health setback in the following years brought turmoil to both his personal and professional life.
In the early hours of a Thursday morning at TPC Sawgrass, golfer Danny Walker received a life-changing phone call in the locker room restroom. Former world No. 1 Jason Day’s unexpected withdrawal from The Players Championship led to Walker’s last-minute entry into the prestigious golf event. The 29-year-old, listed as the first alternate, had the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream of competing in the tournament after waiting behind the ropes the previous year. Walker was initially taken aback by the news but quickly composed himself, expressing his excitement and gratitude for the unexpected opportunity.
Walker, ranked No. 284 in the world, found himself playing alongside major champions Jordan Spieth and Wyndham Clark. Despite his relative inexperience on the PGA Tour, Walker displayed confidence and skill, carding a one-over 73 in his opening round. His performance improved in the following rounds, with a strong showing at the iconic 17th hole helping him to secure a spot for the weekend by making the cut line.
As Walker navigated through the tournament, facing off against esteemed players and overcoming nerves, he reflected on the surreal experience of competing at such a high level. Despite the absence of several prominent golfers, Walker remained focused on his game and relished the opportunity to showcase his talent on a grand stage.
After struggling to a two-over 74, Lowry finally found his rhythm on the course. Meanwhile, Walker breezed through the windy TPC Sawgrass with an impressive bogey-free six-under 66, placing him in the top-10, just four shots behind second-round leaders Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia before heading out for Saturday’s round. Walker attributed his success to his solid ball-striking, emphasizing that hitting his start lines was crucial. Having played the course nearly 100 times since moving to Jacksonville in 2019, Walker’s experience paid off.
Walker, who had briefly worked as a waiter at Bahama Breeze before returning to golf, stood to earn a significant payday with a top-10 finish in the Players Championship. A 10th place finish would secure him approximately $681,250 from the $25 million prize purse, adding to the $684,667 he has earned in his professional career thus far. Despite the potential windfall, Walker’s focus remained on getting some much-needed rest after a sleepless night, rather than contemplating how to spend his earnings.
