Jimmy Walker playing on after Lyme disease diagnosis
Reigning PGA champion Jimmy Walker has been feeling lethargic for months. However, it seemed just prior to the Masters that Walker had figured out what was holding him down. He had been diagnosed with mononucleosis and told that the best way to recover is to rest — something that doesn’t jibe well with April through September for a professional golfer.
However, it turns out that was an incorrect diagnosis. Walker is dealing with something more serious, revealing ahead of this week’s Valero Texas Open that he actually has Lyme disease.
“My health is OK, I’ve just been very tired and fatigued,” Walker said, via the PGA Tour. “I’ve had no strength and it comes and goes in waves. It just hasn’t been real fun. I actually tested positive for Lyme disease. I found that out the Wednesday of Augusta.
“We’ve been talking to a lot of doctors and I think that was more of what was going on as opposed to the mono.”
Walker said the onset of the symptoms, which are triggered by a tick bite, began around Thanksgiving. He’ll be on medication to fight the disease. In the meantime, Walker is competing this week after finished tied for 18th place at the Masters. He opened with 2-under 70 at TPC San Antonio on Thursday.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
