An ace under pressure

It was college golf's biggest stage, so naturally, Danny Walker raised his level of play.

A sophomore at the University of Virginia, Walker tied for his team's low score with a two-over par 72 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore, in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships on May 27.

A dominant figure in Florida state high school golf during his time at Lakewood Ranch High School, Walker led the Mustangs to three consecutive state team titles after he won the individual championship as a freshman in 2010.

However, getting acclimated to collegiate golf has taken time. When Virginia competed at the 2015 national championships, Walker couldn't crack the lineup.

Now the adjustment period appears to be over. Walker shot his team's second-best score of 212, including a final-round 72 on May 18, during the regional competition at Vanderbilt Legends Club. Virginia finished fifth in the tournament, securing the last nationals' qualifying berth by one shot.

Although the Cavaliers didn't make the cut from 30 teams to 15 after Sunday's third round at the nationals, they are poised to make a bigger run next year with Walker playing a lead role.

Among Virginia's top scorers at the nationals were freshmen Ashton Poole and Thomas Walsh, so Virginia has a bright future.

That means more pressure events for Walker with the team depending on him.

“He seems to be motivated more by big events,” said Walker's former Lakewood Ranch High coach, Dave Frantz. “Therefore, he thinks his way around the course, prepares and sticks to a game plan. And because he has been on the biggest stages at every level at which he has competed, he tends to perform better.” 

While the Eugene Country Club course was a little tighter with taller trees than any course he has played in a while, Walker didn't get caught up with the pressure. He wanted to represent Virginia well and have some fun.

“I feel like there was more pressure at regionals because we wanted to get to the nationals so badly,” Walker said. “Once you get here, the pressure is off. You have nothing to lose. You just go out and play. 

“It’s a cool atmosphere and one of the best tournaments in amateur golf. It’s just fun to play and be out there.”

Walker started to have more fun with college golf after a tournament his freshman season.  He walked off the 18th green at Palmetto Golf Club, in Aiken, S.C., having shot a career-best 6-under par 64 on the second day of the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Invite March 9, 2015. 

The 2014 graduate of Lakewood Ranch earned team medalist honors for the Cavaliers and was fourth overall with a 6-under par 204.

“It was good for my self confidence to show that I have what it takes,” he said. “I showed I can play well enough to win college tournaments.” 

Winning is something Walker has done since he started playing competitively in elementary school. Although he has yet to win his first collegiate tournament, his play has proven he has the ability.

However, he also has adjusted to not being the best player on the course on a regular basis.

“It’s definitely been a bit of an adjustment,” Walker said. “I definitely miss the winning, but I really enjoy the competition more. When you do win, it’s a lot more of an accomplishment.” 

After Walker failed to earn a spot on Virginia's 2015 squad that competed at the national championship tournament, he worked hard during the offseason so it wouldn't happen again.

“He’s really developed a lot in the last two years,” Virginia coach Bowen Sargent said. “This year we have equally as good a team (as in 2015), and he’s stepped up.” 

In high school, Walker finished first or second in just about every tournament Lakewood Ranch played, Now he has learned that isn't possible.

He looks at the final numbers to determine how he and the rest of the Cavaliers performed. Success can mean finishing in the top 10 individual and the top three as a team.

“When you look at the guys on tour, they don’t win very much,” Walker said. “They may win a couple tournaments out of 25 or 30, and they can still have good seasons.” 

“Golf is a very challenging sport and the challenge now is for him to continue to improve on his consistency,” said Walker’s father, James Walker.

The younger Walker still has aspirations of playing professionally, but for now, he’s focused on returning to Virginia and helping the Cavaliers to another national championship tournament appearance.  

With all five starters from this year’s postseason team returning, Walker expects Virginia to have its strongest team in recent memory and the one best suited to contend for a national championship. 

“He’s played great all spring and had a solid fall campaign as well,” Sargent said. “He’s an explosive player who can make a lot of birdies. He’s really helped us in a lot of spots this year.”