Players Championship longshot turns toilet break into $850,000 payday
Danny Walker's remarkable journey at the 2024 Players Championship started when he received a last-minute call while in the restroom, just 90 minutes before tee time. As first alternate, he replaced Jason Day who had withdrawn, earning a spot alongside Jordan Spieth and Wyndham Clark.
A Jacksonville native and Korn Ferry Tour graduate, Walker seized this unexpected opportunity at TPC Sawgrass. After making the cut on the number with rounds of 73-70, he shot an impressive 66 on Saturday to vault into contention. He finished with a solid 70 on Sunday, securing a T6 finish and earning $843,750 - the largest payday of his career.
The 29-year-old former UVA golfer, who once considered becoming an astrophysicist, showed remarkable composure throughout the tournament. Just 18 months prior, Walker had "little to no money" in his bank account. His performance earned him valuable FedEx Cup points, significantly boosting his chances of reaching the top-100 for 2026.
By Sunday, fans who initially didn't recognize him were cheering his name, particularly noting his polo shirt's resemblance to Jacksonville Jaguars colors. For Walker, who had dreamed of playing this event since childhood, the experience was "surreal" - marking his transformation from an unknown alternate to a legitimate PGA Tour contender.