With a little help from Butch Harmon, Jimmy Walker morphs into ‘the man’ ahead of the Masters

While Harmon’s recent work with Rickie Fowler has generated plenty of attention, it is Walker who has piled up wins at a pace that no other player on the PGA Tour has matched, writes Steve Elling.

Jimmy Walker hits from the first tee during the fourth round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2015, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Butch Harmon has coached some of the greatest players of golf’s modern era.

He has also thrown career lifelines to a few work-in-progress types, tweaking swings, addressing their short-game issues or giving them a reality check as needed.

Harmon took on the previously winless Jimmy Walker two years ago.

RELATED

After taking a closer look at Walker, a cerebral player whose promise had never been fulfilled, Harmon sent a ceaseless series of text messages, emails and verbal encouragement to the Oklahoman, telling the lanky veteran that he had the tools to not only succeed, but play with the big boys.

Never one to mince words, even when working with the likes of ex-world No 1s Tiger Woods, Fred Couples or Adam Scott, Harmon insistently told Walker that he was “the man”.

Turns out he was both swing coach and soothsayer.

The makeover has been nothing short of spectacular. While Harmon’s recent work with Rickie Fowler has generated plenty of attention, it is Walker who has piled up wins at a pace that no other player on the PGA Tour has matched.

For the second season in a row, he has become the first player to win twice. Last weekend, he snapped a streak of nine straight Sundays in which the 54-hole leader blew the overnight lead.

His victory at the Texas Open was his fifth in his last 37 starts, a run that includes 15 top-10 finishes. Walker, mind you, was always viewed as a talented player who could not get out of his own way, as players say. Now everybody is stepping aside for him.

Walker improved to No 10 in the world ranking and heads to Augusta next week as an absolutely marked man. Last year, as a Masters rookie at age 35, he finished joint eighth, the first of three top-nine finishes at the majors in 2014.

While Rory McIlroy will attract the lion’s share of the attention next week as he attempts to complete a career grand slam, Walker might truly be the man to beat.

He ranks 17th on the US tour in driving distance and fourth in putting, a crazy-good combo plate at the notoriously tricky Augusta National.

Walker also plays a power draw, the preferred ball flight at Augusta.

“You definitely wouldn’t want to go in not playing well,” Walker said. “I feel good, I like the golf course, it’s an amazing week.

“I had a blast last year. They did an incredible job with the golf course, the fans, the membership there, everybody just goes out of their way to make you feel like you’re at the most prestigious event there is.”

Now he is one of the prestigious players, too. In a cadre of Harmon pupils that includes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Fowler, Johnson has arguably become the centrepiece.

Follow us at our new home on Twitter @NatSportUAE