American Jimmy Walker claimed his first major title last night at Baltusrol, finishing a one-stroke winner over Jason Day at the US PGA Championship.
He becomes the fifth successive maiden major winner and the fourth this year after Danny Willett (The Masters), Dustin Johnson (US Open) and Henrik Stenson (The Open).
The 37-year-old was met with hugs from his wife Erin Stiegemeier and his two sons, Mclain and Beckett and speaking after his round he shared his feelings on a momentous achievement.
Love & respect â¤ï¸
After the win, Walker gets hugs from:
His caddie
His family
Jason Day
Rickie Fowler
Jordan Spieth https://t.co/BHNC2YV7Hk— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2016
"It feels sweet," he told Sky Sports' Sarah Stirk. "It's amazing. Things began to click last week and then being able to bring it in this week. I've been thinking a little better on the golf course... I'm having a hard time putting words together right now.
"It's incredible what Jason [Day] did, eagling the last hole forcing me to make a five. It's huge."
WATCH: He's a popular winner. An emotional Jimmy Walker describes his battle with Jason Day https://t.co/H2f2lWxBfm https://t.co/jfrQNg3ROh
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 31, 2016
Unusually, Walker was a wire-to-wire winner in New Jersey, rounds of 65, 66, 68 and 67 saw him hold off challenges from Henrik Stenson, Robert Streb and world number one Day.
The Texan put it down to recent improvements in his swing and his overall game.
"I've just been working on it, I've been getting a little firey. I recognised that I had to get better and I've been working hard, working on my swing. It's just nice to see it pay off.
"I wouldn't have called this, but it's huge. I kept the hammer down to keep making birdies and keep playing well."
What looked like a procession actually turned out to be a nervous finish for Walker after Day picked up two shots on the last hole to keep the pressure on Walker right until the very end. The Australian looked on with his son, Dash, and congratulated his neighbour (the pair park their camper vans beside one another) as soon as he walked off the course.
THE RESPECT! Jimmy Walker and Jason Day hug it out. What a finish on SS4: https://t.co/H2f2lWxBfm https://t.co/S2GZ0z0ZGF
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 31, 2016
Walker commended Day on keeping it competitive right until the end.
"I said when I made birdie at 17 that that would probably end it. you think they're going to make three so you have to make a five. I just sent it up there because I mean 19 out of 20 times you're going to make a five... Boy I made it a little more difficult than I would have like but it was awesome to make the last putt."
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