Being tired all of the time is never a good, especially when you are a professional athlete. Unfortunately, 2016 PGA Champion Jimmy Walker has been feeling that way all of the since the end of last year and never knew why, until now.
On Wednesday during Walker’s press conference at the Valero Texas Open, the 38-year-old revealed that he has tested positive for Lyme disease. After months of symptoms, the initial thought was that he might have had a case of mononucleosis. However, he received the official diagnosis the Wednesday before the Masters. He still went on to tie for 18th.
“I think I’ve had it for, you know, a little while now. I haven’t really felt good since Thanksgiving,” Walker said. “How long I’ve had it, I don’t know. I know I haven’t felt great since about then. So been talking to some doctors, trying to figure out the course of action to take and get on some meds to get it going in the right direction.”
Since his first major title, Jimmy Walker’s struggled with fatigue and finally found out the reason: Lyme disease – https://t.co/wUSNelwkyo pic.twitter.com/qzx43ng8Au
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 19, 2017
According to the Center for Disease Control, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection usually transmitted through tick bites. Symptoms include fever, headaches, and fatigue.
“Basically feels like you got the flu. No strength, just got nothing,” Walker explained. “And it comes and goes in waves. You never know when it’s going to pop up.”
After capturing his first career major at the 2016 PGA Championship, Walker’s play has been inconsistent at best. Granted he’s had some top-25 finishes since, it’s obvious something has been slowing him down. While he awaits word on treatment plans, he will be teeing it up this week at TPC San Antonio in the Valero Texas Open.
“I’m ready to go back to having full energy and feeling good,” Walker said. “Play with my kids the way they want to play and not go home and just feel like a rock. I’m ready to get going.”
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