Walker Nails Down Maiden Victory


Jimmy Walker overtook 54-hole leader Brooks Koepka and the rest of the field on Sunday in sunny California, firing a closing 5-under 66 to win the $5 million Frys.com Open for the first victory of his career. The opening event on the PGA Tour's 2013-14 schedule took place at CordeValle Golf Club.

The 34-year-old Walker logged his first title after 188 starts. The Oklahoma native posted six birdies and a lone bogey to end up at 17-under 267, earning $900,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points.

"I feel a release right now," Walker told PGATour.com. "It feels really good."

The former Baylor player, who turned pro in 2001, beat 50-year-old Vijay Singh (68) by two strokes, while Koepka (72), Kevin Na (64), Scott Brown (64) and Hideki Matsuyama (66) shared third at 270. Na and Brown posted Sunday's low rounds.

Tied for seventh at 271 were Brian Harman (65) and George McNeill (71). Billy Hurley III (68), Will MacKenzie (69) and Max Homa (69) ended up another stroke back.

Koepka, a 23-year-old from Florida, got into the tournament on a sponsor's exemption. He opened with rounds of 67, 64 and 67, but struggled on the final 10 holes in Sunday's last group with four bogeys and a bogey.

The high finish in his Tour debut allowed Homa, also on a sponsor's exemption, to qualify for next week's Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. The former Cal player won the 2013 individual NCAA golf championship.

Defending champion Jonas Blixt of Sweden finished with a 70 to tie for 51st at 4-under 280.

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