Jimmy Walker :: ‘A lot of guys don’t like it’

• American claims slowness of play puts players off competing
• “You’ve just got to get over the fact that it’s going to take a while”
• Jimmy Walker also gives his verdict on young Jordan Spieth

Reigning AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am champion Jimmy Walker has said a lot of golfers are put off competing in the tournament because of the pace of play.

The 36-year-old begins the defence of his title tomorrow and is in blistering form so far this season, leading the FedExCup standings with a win at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a runner-up finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions a week earlier.

Speaking about the nature of the pro-am competition, Jimmy Walker said: “I don’t mind the format, I think it’s great and I’ve enjoyed all my partners I’ve ever had here.

“You know the rounds are going to be a little longer but there’s no better place to hang out on a golf course for five-and-a-half, six hours.

“I’ve enjoyed the company of the guys I’ve played with and even the amateur partners that weren’t my partners that I was playing with. It just makes for a nice week and it’s fun. You’ve just got to get over the fact that it’s going to take a while. A lot of guys don’t like it.”

Jimmy Walker, who will play with businessman Jim Crane – owner of MLB franchise Houston Astros – in the pro-am, also offered his thoughts on American prodigy Jordan Spieth and the expectation he is carrying despite only being 21.

He said: “He’s got a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and I think he takes it really well. Off the golf course, he is a quality guy, mature beyond his years and, on the course, when the guy’s putting well, he’s really tough to beat.

“When I was 21 or 22-years-old, I was still in college and had my college golf coach booking flights and doing all this stuff for me, so I couldn’t tell you what he has to deal with today but it’s probably a lot more than what I have to. I’m sure he’s got a really good team of people around him though.”

Jimmy Walker and playing partner Crane have been grouped with Ken Duke and his partner Giles Kibbe and will tee off at 8.55am (4.55pm UK time) on the Spyglass Hill course before playing Pebble Beach on Friday and Monterey Peninsula on Saturday.

Jimmy Walker defending his title at Pebble Beach :: Your thoughts

Are you, like the American, a fan of the pro-am format? And do you think Walker can defend his title this week? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.