Tuesday 2 August 2016 11:15, UK
Thanks to his wire-to-wire victory at last week's PGA Championship, Jimmy Walker is on course to qualify for this year's Ryder Cup in Minnesota.
The 37-year-old from Texas won his major breakthrough at Baltusrol in New Jersey on Sunday, a triumph which moved him from 29th to fourth in the American Ryder Cup qualifying table.
The top eight points scorers will represent the United States in the three-day match at Hazeltine which starts on September 30 live on Sky Sports and, with just four qualifying events remaining, Walker has all but booked his spot on the team.
Two years ago at Gleneagles, Walker made his debut when he was chosen for all five sessions by captain Tom Watson.
After halving his opening three matches in partnership with Rickie Fowler, he suffered a foursomes defeat on Friday afternoon before beating Lee Westwood in the singles and admits he is desperate to taste Ryder Cup action again this year.
"It would be great to get back on the team. I remember when I left Gleneagles I did an interview and said I never want to miss another one again.
The emotions you run through at these team events are huge
"I saw Davis (Love, US skipper) this week and I told him 'Man, I'd love to be on your team.
"The emotions you run through at these team events are huge and I felt like I learned a lot about myself that week at the Ryder Cup, especially the singles match on the last day. It was crazy.
"I look forward to hopefully having a chance to do it here on our home turf this year."
One side note from his win in the PGA Championship is that he can now celebrate a first major title with coach Butch Harmon.
Sky Sports analyst Harmon famously refused to accept any payment for their first few lessons in 2013, so Walker gave him a bottle of Chateau Margaux as a thank-you present.
Harmon, who never opened it, preferring to wait until the day Walker won a major, said on Sunday: "I've been saving it for a special occasion. And this is a special occasion."
