Danny Walker, initially not slated to compete at The Players, is realizing a lifelong ambition by making a strong showing at the PGA Tour’s premier event. The rising player, who is ranked No. 284 in the world, received a last-minute invitation to join the tournament at TPC Sawgrass after Jason Day withdrew due to illness.
Walker learned of his inclusion just two hours before his tee time, receiving the call while in the locker-room restroom. This unexpected opportunity placed him in the spotlight with major champions Jordan Spieth and Wyndham Clark.
“It meant the world to me,” Walker expressed. “I’ve wanted to play in this event since I was a little kid, especially living here locally. I’ve watched it many times over the years, so I couldn’t be more excited.” He added, “I sat in my car for a few moments afterward to let it sink in and maybe shed a tear. It was all surreal – I wasn’t expecting to get in.”
After rounds of 73 and 70, Walker made the cut, securing a tee time on Saturday morning alongside major winner Shane Lowry. He took advantage of the optimal conditions to fire a third-round 66.
“Once you make the weekend, you can play freely because you have nothing to lose,” he said. “You can’t go backwards; you can only move forwards from there. I maintained my momentum in ball-striking.”
In a challenging season where he has only placed in the top 40 once in his five PGA Tour outings, Walker earned his spot in this event through a top-30 finish on the Korn Ferry Tour points list last year. At the age of 29, he has yet to establish a significant online presence, even lacking a Wikipedia page.
“This is where I wanted to be, playing in these types of events,” Walker noted. “It’s hard to put into perspective the years of hard work that have gone into getting my game to this level.”
He hopes that early-season opportunities in major events will set the stage for a successful year. “The experience of competing alongside major champions is invaluable,” he added.
Having resided in the Jacksonville area since 2019, Walker is very familiar with TPC Sawgrass, playing it close to 100 times, making The Players feel like a local event he is well-prepared for.
With his only professional victories occurring on the PGA Tour Canada, Walker stands to significantly boost his career earnings, which currently sit at $684,667, should he secure a top-10 finish this week. Notably, a debut victory remains a distinct possibility.
“My 10-year-old self would be jumping up and down at the chance to contend at The Players,” Walker reflected, as childhood aspirations converge with reality.
Stay tuned for the finale of The Players—watch the final round live on Sunday starting at 1 PM. Exciting coverage options include multiple feeds for Featured Holes and Groups.
