Jimmy Walker has mono, and it's actually a good thing he knows that.
The reigning PGA champion has been feeling a little lethargic for most of 2017, and he's been unable to figure out why. Now he knows, getting the mono diagnosis, which is a bit of a relief.
"I haven't passed it on to the kids or to [wife] Erin, so that's good," Walker said to the Associated Press. "I've just felt so bad all year. I've had glucose testing, Lyme disease testing, and we finally got it figured out."
The whole thing began around Thanksgiving with flu-like symptoms. The on-course results reflected him feeling off: DFL at the no-cut WGC-HSBC Champions and missing the cut in Las Vegas. He tied Tiger Woods at the Hero World Challenge in December, beating only two players in the 17-man finishing field. Walker's best finish this year is a T-9 at the SBS Tournament of Champions and a T-11 at the Genesis Open.
"I've just been totally lethargic," Walker said. "I've had no energy. I get to the golf course, and I just want to sit down. I was not about to say anything. I just kept plugging along."
The bad news is that the only real way to battle mono is to rest. That's not happening this time of year. However, Walker is hopeful that the awe and wonder the Masters inspires might do him a little good.
"I think it's a week I always try to slow down and enjoy it because it's so cool to be here," Walker said. "It's such an experience, and it's fun to watch the people. Try to slow down and enjoy."
