Jimmy Walker fights swirling winds to put himself in position for weekend

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Jimmy Walker lines his putt on the No. 2 green during the second round of the 2014 Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Jimmy Walker reacts to his fairway shot on No. 2 during the second round of the 2014 Masters Golf Tournament. Walker is 2-under-par 142 and tied for seventh place headed into Saturday.
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Jimmy Walker reacts after missing a putt on No. 16 for bogey during the second round of the 2014 Masters Tournament.
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Jimmy Walker surveys the green on No. 15 during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Jimmy Walker fought swirling winds to put himself in position to compete for a green jacket this weekend.

Walker shot even-par 72 in Friday’s second round to sit in a tie for seventh at 2-under par, five strokes behind leader Bubba Watson.

Walker, 35, playing in his first Masters, said the wind has made for a challenging tournament.

“It really does swirl,” Walker said. “It’s amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere where it does anything like this.

“You’re out there playing Pebble Beach or San Diego, you know where the wind is all the time because there’s nothing to block it and make it swirl, and running in and out through the trees. It’s tough, it really is.”

Walker has three wins dating to October 2013, including a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Feb. 9. He said the experience of winning can help down the stretch.

“You learn patience,” he said. “I think that’s one of the biggest keys for me is learning how to be patient and learning how to not let a hole derail your quest.”