On Thursday morning, Jason Day had to withdraw from the Player Championship due to an illness.  This created an opening for a list of alternate players, and the one who managed to get in was Danny Walker.  A player who only joined the PGA Tour this year didn’t even have a guaranteed place at the Players Championship.  Now that Walker has been officially introduced to the PGA Tour, many fans asking: “who is he?”

Danny Walker’s History

Growing up in Florida, he always had a love for golf since he was at least three.  He would see events held in Orlando and Tampa Bay any chance he got.  Walker has been going for his tour card since 2018, he has narrowly missed the cut each time he tried.  For a long while he only had his Ferry Korn Tour Card which he lost in 2023.  He was going through the PGA Tour Q School during this time where he only got as far as the second stage.  Strangely enough, during this time he was going through university for astrophysics class as a backup plan.

Walker finally earned his Tour card through the Korn Ferry Campaign in 2024.  He managed to finish at number 28 and got his card by being in the top 30 for the campaign.

How Did He Get In The Players Championship?

In the lead-up to his call to take Jason Day’s spot, Danny Walker was fully expecting to not compete at all.  Entering a match as an alternate player is not a dependable method.  Sure it will get players on a list but it is no guarantee, as Wesley Brian learned during the Mexico Open.  Yet Walker got the call and is still ecstatic about it.  When he was asked about how he felt about it he told reporters that he:

“Wanted to play in this event since I was a little kid, especially living here locally,” Walker said Thursday. “Honestly, I went and sat in my car for a few minutes afterwards and just kind of let it hit me a little bit, maybe let a tear out. But, no, it was all great. I was just excited.”

He would describe his entry as feeling “surreal”, again he was not expecting to actually be able to play.  At the time he got the call he was even busy in the restroom:

“I was in the locker room in the restroom [when I got the call],” Walker said with a grin on Saturday evening. “Had to take that phone call.”

An hour and a half after that call he was teeing up to a confused but supportive crowd.  He started getting more and more comments as spectators started becoming fans of him and started recognizing him throughout the day.  He managed to get into 6th place for the Championship, nearly making it to face off against the top names at the event.

What’s Next For Danny Walker

It may be his first season with PGA Tour but Danny Walker is already getting a modest following.  His performance at the Players Championship has resulted in a quickly-growing fan base.  They already like how he plays and they are going to like the excited attitude he brings into the sport while still young.  It will be fun to see what he has in store for the future.  Between Walker, Danny List, Karl Vilips, and others, this has been an interesting season start for PGA rookies.

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On Saturday, March 15, veteran caddie Billy Foster announced that he is splitting with his player, Matt Fitzpatrick. The two teamed up six years ago in 2019 and have seen six victories together—two on PGA and four on DP. With how well they worked together, they were considered a bit of a dream team. Now, however, Foster is scaling back and stepping down as Fitzpatrick’s caddie.

Billy Foster’s Retirement?

Billy Foster made the announcement himself on social media after some rough months for Fitzpatrick’s performance.

“Well after 6 great years, all good things come to an end. This game never stops to frustrate you & infuriate you….!!! Unfortunately times change & ultimately it’s the caddie or the coach that has to accept results are not good enough & when you stop enjoying what you are doing it’s time for a change. Thanks Matt we had a great run & who knows where the next chapter will go. Onwards & Upwards.”

It is speculated that the team’s recent losses that had Fitzpatrick slide into the world’s 61st ranking sparked this decision.  These Losses include The Players Championship where he missed the cut.  This was also the year that Foster was set to scale back his work as a caddie.  This post also reads as a bit of a retirement message, Foster has been a caddie for over forty years.

“Who knows, I might be back full time at some point but now seems the right time to give the body a break and catch up on things I miss out on,” Foster told Golfweek in January. “I might even start playing golf again.”

This comes in the midst of a series of announcements from other golfers like Rory McIlroy making plans for retirement.

Foster In The Future

He won’t be retiring completely but most likely from just being a caddie.  He is looking to get into other side gigs and this may include TV commentary, setting him on the caddie to broadcaster pipeline.  This has also been set in place since the beginning, the plan has always been six years before a phaseout begins.  In a statement with GolfWeek Foster said:

“When I started with Matt six years ago, I told him I’d like to do 20 (tournaments), that 27 is too much,” Foster said. “From day one, I wanted someone to work a few. I’d still like to do 18 but it’s not fair to have someone do just seven. So I compromised that I’ll do 13 for Matt and maybe pick up a few in Europe, too.”

Matt Fitzpatrick’s next primary caddie is most likely going to be Daniel Parrat who was already sharing the position with Foster during the 2025 season.  It will be hard to truly replace Foster, Fitzpatrick has called him the greatest caddie of all time at the 2022 US Open;

“This means the world to Billy,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s unbelievable for him. I know it’s something he’s wanted for a long, long, long time. To do it is incredible.”

Parrat is a pretty capable caddie, so he should do well for Fitzpatrick.  He does however have some big shoes to fill.

A Farewell To Billy

As Foster said himself “all good things must come to an end.”  We are looking at the end of an era for Foster and Fitzpatrick.  Billy Foster will most likely stick around the sport in the foreseeable future, but just doing other things.

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​The Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida, concludes the PGA Tour’s Florida swing this week. With top players like Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Rory McIlroy absent, the field is wide open. Here’s a breakdown of the odds, best bets, and predictions for this year’s tournament.

Top Contenders at Valspar Championship

Even with some of the heavy hitters sitting out this week, some familiar faces sit atop the odds. For the first time in a while, we see three players as co-favorites heading into the tournaments. Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Shauffele, and Justin Thomas all sit at +1400 to win.

Fleetwood has been much more consistent out of that group. Fleetwood has been in excellent form all season. Even with no wins on tour in years, Fleetwood hasn’t finished outside the top 25 in months. His history at Copperhead includes a T16 in 2022 and a T3 in 2023, where he gained strokes across all categories.

You should proceed with caution with Thomas and Shauffele. Thomas has been struggling recently, finishing outside the top 30 in his last two starts. This comes even after tying the course record at TPC Sawgrass in round 2 last weekend. Shauffele is still getting back in his groove after missing months due to injury. After a lackluster showing at The Players Championship, the value in wagering on Shauffele isn’t there quite yet.

Valspar Championship: Best and Interesting Bets

Maybe the most popular bet for the championship is Sam Burns outright at +2200. Burns is a two-time Valspar champion winning back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. Notably, Sam Burns has a scoring average of 68.3 since 2021, reflecting his dominance. His recent run of form is cause for concern but there’s no doubt this is the event where Burns can turn it around.

Sepp Straka at +1600 is a value play when so many big names are taking the week off. Straka has been the face of consistency on tour this year. The Genesis is the only tournament all year in which Straka has not finished inside the top 30. Straka has also placed inside the top 15 in each of his last three tournaments. His strong play this season positions him as a serious contender at Copperhead.

If you’re someone who appreciates success on the course rather than recent form, Jordan Spieth is very interesting for the Valspar. Spieth has been very inconsistent this season. There has been no middle ground in his game so far. Spieth has two top 10 finishes while the rest of his finishes are outside the top 50. But as a former champion at the Valspar with the experience needed to win, at +3500 he is worth a consideration.

Course Overview

The Copperhead Course is known for its challenging layout, emphasizing driving accuracy and putting skills. The infamous “Snake Pit” finish tests even the most seasoned golfers. Key statistics to consider include strokes gained approach (SG: APP), strokes gained around the green (SG: ARG), proximity from 175+ yards, par-3 scoring, and par-5 scoring. Players excelling in these areas are likely to perform well.

Course history often plays a significant role at Copperhead. Notably, Sam Burns has a scoring average of 68.3 since 2021, reflecting his dominance. Other players with strong course histories include Xander Schauffele (68.6), Viktor Hovland (68.6), and Tommy Fleetwood (68.8).

Being one of the last PGA Tour events before The Masters is also a key point to consider. Many players in the field have yet to qualify for the tournament. Expect to see many players take risks they normally avoid to earn their invitation to Augusta in April. This could mean either end of the extremes for whoever you decide to put your money behind.

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If there is any current athlete in the sport of golf who understands what it means to win, it is Scottie Scheffler. With 13 career PGA Tour wins, Scheffler has inked himself into the history books as easily one of the best to ever play. In this 2025 season through six events played, he has made every single cut with two top ten finishes. Yet, Scheffler has had a rough go around on the course as of late. In his last three events he ranks at 25th place, ninth place, and an eighth way tie for 20th place. The  play seen by the No. one golfer in the world, has been unfamiliar to many in comparison to past seasons. With reality proving that Scheffler can indeed have a rough patch, many are wondering what’s next up his sleeve. 

Shake Off The Rust, Scheffler 

After a 20th place finish at The Players Championship, fans including Scheffler were left in confusion. From taking home the first place finish in the 2024 season at this course, the odds were far from being on his side this time around. His best round came in round one with a 69, totaling in just one bogey with four birdies on the day. Then things just continued to take a turn for the worst and never turned back in the favor of Scheffler. His competitive edge eating at him throughout, something he expressed in his period with the media. 

“I’m a competitive guy, and I felt like I could have played a lot better this week,” Scheffler said. “Like I said, I’m really close. I maybe finished the week 4-under par. I felt like I played some better golf than that. Looking forward to fine-tuning things next week and then getting ready for Houston.”

With so many achievements in his PGA Tour career despite only being 28-years-old, his success is still on the rise with an anticipated appearance at the Texas Children’s Open. An event he has had much experience in, just coming up short in the 2024 season of play. 

Can He Secure First Season Win?

With the next appearance for Scheffler not scheduled until the Texas Children’s Open, we can expect dialed in focus after last season. Finishing in second place was a mishap by all means, but something he has had to deal with ever since. With a chance at redemption and first season win, the top ranked golfer in the world is coming for yet another repeat. 

Missing his opportunity in the most recent event, Scheffler has put himself in position time after time to continue his legacy. With a field to feature 144 of the top athletes in the world, things will continue to be difficult by all means. In comparison to a 2024 season where it felt as though Scheffler just dominated every event, this time around things are different. The competition seems to be stepping up to the bright lights Scheffler brings, and even outperforming him in recent events to date.

Being ranked No. one in the world is earned, and deserves the respect it comes with. Having familiarity with his next expected course will be a plus, after finishing runner-up to Stephan Jaeger. 

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Brooks Koepka is facing backlash from fans and pundits after a post on social media yesterday. The 34-year-old shared the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer on X and captioned it, “Bout time we got some real golfers on tour.” Many quickly pointed this comment out as a dig at PGA Tour players. This has reignited the debate between the Saudi-backed LIV golf league and the PGA Tour.

Fan Outrage and Heated Reactions

Fans of the PGA Tour believe that the comment is disrespectful and dismissive of the stars competing on the PGA Tour. Koepka also appeared to imply that LIV Golf is superior to the PGA. Fans wasted no time in responding to his post, with many expressing their disappointment and outrage. Some fans pointed out the irony of his statement, telling the American “You’re not on tour.”

Another fan told the 34-year-old that, “There are real golfers on the PGA Tour, golfers in your league are cool with taking checks from the people who funded 9/11, killed an American journalist, and a lot of other crimes against humanity. But keep hating, traitor.” Another fan reminded the American about the controversy of the Saudi-backed league: “The fact you play on a tour that is backed by a man that cheats at golf tells me everything about you. Now go back to obscurity.

However, some fans wanted to see the PGA and LIV reunite. “Tbh I don’t see a reason for a top pro to hunt some extra numbers on a bank account to play on a shitour ( while in his prime) and barely is followed, and will be forgotten in a couple of years. Hopefully all can come together again so golf can be watchable”

Koepka’s Comments Has Implications For PGA and LIV

Koepka’s comments have surely stoked the fire of the ongoing PGA Tour and LIV Golf debate. This could lead to further division between both sets of fans. It could also impact both tours and potentially affect their viewership, sponsorship, and player recruitment. It doesn’t appear like the rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is going anywhere any time soon. The PGA Tour has been introducing new changes and the LIV Golf has been recruiting high-profile players in a bid to outmuscle each other.

Over the years, Koepka has forged a reputation as an outspoken golfer. He is widely known for speaking his mind and challenging the status quo. However, this comment appears misguided. It could damage his reputation among fans and sponsors. This in turn could harm his career prospects in the future. The American is yet to delete the comment despite the backlash, implying that he stands by his words.

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The 23-year-old American Akshay Bhatia delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Players Championship. Bhatia finished tied for third place, just two strokes behind the winner, Rory McIlroy, and even flirted with the lead deep into the tournament. Despite withdrawing from the Valspar Championship on Tuesday, there is so much to look forward to seeing.

Journey Through the 2025 Players Championship

Bhatia began the tournament with impressive form. After the first 9 holes, Bhatia was 4-under par. At the end of day 1 he completed a bogey-free round finished 5-under. Bhatia followed his round one performance with an even better day two shooting a 6-under 66. Going into the weekend Bhatia shared the 36-hole lead with Australia’s Min Woo Lee at 11-under par.

The first two rounds saw relatively mild conditions, allowing players like Bhatia to capitalize and post low scores. However, the weekend introduced challenging weather, with winds reaching 15-25 mph and higher gusts. These conditions tested the field’s resilience and adaptability. Not only did it test but it affected Bhatia’s round 3 score. A 3-over 75​ left Bhatia on the outside looking in on Sunday.

A 2-under final round left Bhatia tied for third place and one of the best finishes of his young career. Bhatia only finished behind J.J. Spaun and eventual champ Rory Mcilroy. Even more impressive is this is Bhatai’s first career PGA tour event at TPC Sawgrass. It’s incredible to watch what Bhatia has been able to accomplish at such a young age.

Akshay Bhatia: Career Highlights and Past Finishes

Bhatia’s journey to this point has been marked by significant milestones. He turned professional in September 2019 after a distinguished amateur career, which included representing the United States in events like the Junior Presidents Cup and the Walker Cup. ​

In January 2022, Bhatia secured his first professional victory at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. This win set the stage for future successes. July 2023 marked a pivotal moment when he clinched his first PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship, winning in a playoff against Patrick Rodgers. He continued this momentum into April 2024, capturing the Valero Texas Open title in a playoff over Denny McCarthy. ​

These victories not only established Bhatia as a rising star but also earned him spots in major tournaments. Notably, he became the first participant from the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National to compete in the Masters, making his debut in 2024. ​It’s also the reason he is in no rush to compete in this upcoming Masters tournament.

Immediate Future and Upcoming Tournaments

Following his impressive performance at the Players Championship, Bhatia was scheduled to compete in the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, Florida. However, he has withdrawn from this event, with no specific reason provided. ​
Reuters

This withdrawal means Bhatia will also miss the Texas Children’s Houston Open next week. Nevertheless, he is expected to return to action at the Valero Texas Open, where he will defend his title. This tournament serves as a crucial preparation for the Masters, which begins on April 10th.

Akshay Bhatia’s trajectory in professional golf showcases a blend of youthful talent and seasoned composure. His recent performance at the Players Championship underscores his ability to compete at the highest level, even under challenging conditions. As he prepares to defend his title at the Valero Texas Open and gear up for the Masters, the golfing world keenly watches his next moves, anticipating further accomplishments from this promising athlete.

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Rory McIlroy put in a commanding display in the three-hole playoff to win The Players Championship. The Northwest Irishman became just the eighth player in the tournament’s history to win it multiple times after his victory in 2015. McIlroy secured the victory with a total score of 12-under after shooting a 67 in the first round with three birdies on the front ni orne and four on the back nine.

The 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner shot a 68 with one birdie on the front nine and five on the back in the second round. He followed it up with a score of 73 and 68 with three and four birdies along with an eagle in the fourth and fourth rounds.

McIlroy was asked after the game if he was disappointed or proud after he started the four shots back. “It’s a little bit of both,” McIlroy replied. “I’m happy to be in the position that I am, but also I feel like I had chances there on the back nine to close the door, and I didn’t quite do that. A little bit of both.”

5 Takeaways from McIlroy’s Second TPC Triumph

While the Northern Irishman will already be looking forward to The Masters, below are five key Takeaways from his victory at the Sawgrass.

McIlroy Poised To Complete Career Grand Slam

McIlroy is in a confident mood going into the Masters. Over the years, the 35-year-old has proved himself as one of the best in the game and he’ll be eager to complete his career Grand Slam and write his name into the history books. After winning the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, this is another victory that will rank him among the favourites for the Masters.

Mental Toughness is Key to McIlroy Success

There’s no doubt that McIlroy has the mental strength to overcome any challenge. He proved his mental strength again at Sawgrass as he dominated the three-hole playoff despite starting the day four shots back of 54-hole leader J.J. Spaun.

McIlroy Learns from Past Mistakes

No one needs to remind McIlroy about complacency after his near misses in previous tournaments. The 35-year-old missed the chance to secure the tournament on Sunday after throwing away a lead. However, he made no mistakes on Monday as he put in a commanding display to win his second Players Championship.

Consistency Breeds Success

McIlroy has been one of the most consistent golfers in the last few years. His consistency put him on top once again on Monday as he ranked 10th in strokes gained putting. He also recorded 19 successful scrambling attempts out of 27. The Northern Irishman has managed to remain consistent even when under immense pressure.

Experience Matters

With 28 career PGA Tour wins, McIlroy’s experience played a significant role in his triumph on Monday. His ability to stay focused and composed under pressure is a testament to his maturity as a golfer. Unlike J.J Spaun, McIlroy has more experience at the top level.

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The PGA Tour has welcomed fresh new faces for quite some time, with the younger athletes specifically looking to become the new faces. One in particular being Isaiah Salinda, the 27-year-old most recently participating in his first signature event at Bay Hill. With a 45th place finish in his most recent action, the young golfer has been searching for a better go around at The Players Championship. Salinda has one top five finish in his last five tournaments, a beginning step in the right direction. With a disappointing 68th position on the leaderboard at the end of Sunday, it’s an opportunity missed.

Next Big Step For Salinda

With the Players Championship having now finished up, this could have been a huge opportunity in the bag for Salinda in more ways than one. The most important, his first PGA Tour career win started strong after round one, but continued to take a downward spiral. Having four cuts made in this 2025 season thus far, that streak continued with Salinda making the cut at The Players Championship. Salinda concluded his weekend with a 68th place finish in the tournament, having finished both round three and four with a lackluster 78.

With his worst rounds yet, totaling in with seven bogeys and only five birdies. On the other hand, the first two rounds were much more productive and similar to play seen in recent events. Starting the tournament off with a 69 put Salinda in prime position, yet he began to slowly regress with a round two finish of 71. 

Through the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Stanford alum currently ranks seventh in strokes gained off the tee. One position ahead of the world-renowned Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler, who is the most recent winner at The Players Championship. Yet, those like Salinda will be eager to put themselves more clearly “on the map” with big performances. According to CBS Sports, he has hit 257 greens on 378 holes this 2025 season. That’s good enough to be placed 103rd in the field, and only looking to keep climbing. 

Payout Still Secured Despite Shortcoming

This was the first ever appearance for Salinda at this respective tournament, with a total purse of $25 million. Life changing money and opportunity being at the forefront for the young star, having trouble in this go around but still securing a respectable payout. With his 68th place finish, Salinda was able to take home $52,250 and lots of insight in how to better his game moving forward. 

Over the course of this 2025 season, the ability to perform better than some top leaders has been evident. Salindas game around the green has been on the steady rise, even better than Scheffler who found his way into a ten way tie for 20th place. Staying ahead of schedule and efficiency will be key moving foward, as he slowly regressed round for round during the Players Championship. Not able to find a way from putting together low bogey rounds, resulting in thin opportunities at success for Salinda throughout. 

His first ever appearance at The Players Championship should be one used for guidance, looking at his play one round at a time. With 234 points, Salinda currently ranks 54th in the FedEx Cup standings but expected to drop six spots to 60th. Having gained 16 more points during his last event, and looking to continue a current streak of four consecutive events with points earned. With crossing one mark off his list by making the cut into round three, Salinda will now attempt to better his performance with his next expected appearance at the Valero Texas Open come April. 

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J.J Spaun and Rory McIlroy battled for The Players Championship after both men finished tied at the leaderboard at 12-under par. The prestigious tournament was decided by an aggregate three-hole playoff for the first time ever. Rory McIlroy remained the favorite to clinch the title, however with no pressure on Spaun, the American hoped to spin a surprise.

Spaun put in an outstanding performance on Sunday, executing a series of clutch shots over the final holes. The 34-year-old’s assured performance means that he’ll fancy his chances of winning the title despite going into the playoff as the underdog.

“Everyone expects him to win,” Spaun admitted in his post-round press conference. “I don’t think a lot of people expect me to win. I expect myself to win. That’s all I care about.”

JJ Spaun Fought Back

“It’s a little intense,” Spaun added. “You feel like you’re in a rocketship taking off.” While McIlroy was sputtering, Spaun was fighting. “Once that bogey kind of hit me (on 11), I just tried to fight back,” Spaun said. “I had nothing to lose. Now I’m trying to catch Rory, and I can’t really control what he does, but I can control what I do, and I just started committing to my shots and my swing and trusting it more. Now when I’m hunting, it’s easier to let it go.”

But all momentum was lost in the playoff on the tricky 17th. The par three resulted in Spaun finding water, leading to the nail in the coffin triple-bogey. From there, it was on McIlroy to stay clean and take the win.

Favourite Rory McIlroy Wins in Memorable Showdown

Rory McIlroy was aware that he was the favourite to win the playoff. But the Northern Irishman knew he couldn’t afford to underestimate Spaun. Spaun birdied two of his final five holes to force the second aggregate three-hole playoff in the history of The Players Championship.

In a three-hold playoff, McIlroy won The Players Championship for the first time since winning the same six years ago. The difference-maker? Perhaps it came down to his immense experience and winning mentality into the playoff. However, the Northern Irishman knew that nothing was a done deal until the final ball dropped.

“I’m happy to be in the position that I am, but also I feel like I had chances there on the back nine to close the door, and I didn’t quite do that,” said McIlroy. While McIlroy was rueing his missed chances, Spaun was reminiscing about his performance.

“Once that bogey kind of hit me (on 11), I just tried to fight back,” Spaun said. “I had nothing to lose. Now I’m trying to catch Rory, and I can’t really control what he does, but I can control what I do, and I just started committing to my shots and my swing and trusting it more. Now when I’m hunting, it’s easier to let it go.”

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