Jimmy Walker breaks through at 188th attempt
American grabs Masters invitation and two-year exemption with his maiden victory on the PGA Tour
American Jimmy Walker took advantage of a late collapse by overnight leader Brooks Koepka to win his first PGA Tour title by two shots at the Frys.com Open in San Martin, California, on Sunday.
Three strokes off the pace heading into the final round, Walker coolly birdied two of the last six holes to close with a five-under-par 66 on a sun-splashed afternoon at CordeValle Golf Club.
I am still feeling the adrenaline and everything
The 34-year-old Texan seized the outright lead for the first time when he two-putted for birdie at the par-five 15th, then made three consecutive pars to post a 17-under total of 267 in the opening event of the PGA Tour’s 2013-14 season.
“I think it will sink in after a while,” an emotional Walker said after earning a Masters invitation and a two-year exemption with his maiden win on the US circuit following his 188th career start.
“I am still feeling the adrenaline and everything. I feel like a relief, a release kind of, right now but it feels really good. I am pretty excited.
“I was swinging good so I just kept saying, ‘Let’s just keep hitting good shots, putting good.’ Everything felt like it was in control, so I just kept doing that and it worked out.”