Sophomore Chris Walker will make his 2009-10 Irish debut at the Mason Rudolph Championship

Chris Walker Places In Top 50 At NGA Hooters Tour Event

June 27, 2009

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame sophomore Chris Walker (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) carded a four-under par 284 (70-69-77-68) and tied for 46th place at the Buffalo Run Casino Classic presented by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma,which was contested last weekend at the Peoria Ridge Golf Club in Miami, Okla. The tournament was the 10th stop on the 18-event NGA Hooters Tour, one of a half-dozen developmental golf tours in the United States behind the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour.

Walker was the low amateur in the 146-player field, and also was the only amateur to make the cut (top 70 players plus ties through two rounds). Following the cut, Walker was tied for 23rd place, but a hiccup in his third round dropped the second-year Notre Dame product down in the standings. However, he bounced back nicely with a final-round 68 that featured six birdies, including a three-under par 33 on the front side (his final nine holes of the event after starting on No. 10).

Walker is one of 11 veterans who will be returning for Notre Dame in 2009-10. As a rookie last season, Walker posted a 78.18 stroke average in six tournaments (17 rounds), highlighted by a season-best tie for 15th place at the Palmas del Mar Intercollegiate in Humacao, P.R.

— ND —