The Englishman, who turned 50 in May, may have targeted seniors golf for several years, but he could hardly have imagined that his first Senior Major Championship appearance would be at his home club.
A member at Sunningdale since his days as a junior, Wall has played the incredible Old Course countless times over the years, but this week is special, likely to be remembered as a career highlight.
“It doesn’t get any better, I don’t think,” said Wall, who is set for his third start on the Legends Tour.
“I love links golf, always will be my passion, but this place is just spot on. There is just something about the venue, it has a presence about it.
“If you’re a true golfer, you must have a soft spot for history and knowing everybody has walked down these fairways carries a lot of weight.
“I’d play here every morning if I could. I’ve been preparing for here [the Senior Open], but also more widely for my second life as a golf professional which for me is an unbelievable opportunity.”
Prior to his retirement in 2018 following back and hip injuries, Wall won twice on the DP World Tour across a 22-year professional career that saw him play in 523 tournaments.
During that time, he played in 11 Major Championships, with a best finish a tie for 11th in The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2006.
His second DP World Tour title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play over Archerfield Links in 2016 – 16 years after his first at the Alfred Dunhill Championship – created history for the longest gap between victories in the tour’s history.
Even at the time, injuries were limiting Wall, but his talent was enabling the Londoner – who finished in the top 100 on the DP World Tour’s season-long rankings for 15 years in a row between 1998 and 2012 – to sill compete.
“I was in such a bad way with my back,” Wall reflected. “It was like a piece of glass that I felt like I needed to get away from it.
“It was a sad time because I knew I was struggling but I made a good point of hiding it. For everyone it was a shock, except for perhaps my wife.
“Every Wednesday I had that phone call to decide whether I played or not. I had that for two or three years and won in the middle of that, so I was still capable.
“I felt like I was slowly hurting myself, just because it was so painful.”
Seven years on from calling time on his career, he is back competing again with a smile on his face, in the knowledge a new chapter has begun.
On his Legends Tour debut last month, he finished in a tie for sixth at the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy in Greece, while he finished tied 33rd at the Swiss Seniors Open in his most recent outing earlier this month.
These may be early days for him in the in the 50 and over ranks but being around familiar faces again and getting the competitive juices flowing has given him a renewed purpose.
“Seven years is a long time,” he said, discussing his hopes for what he can achieve. “I know I can do it, but time will tell if I can get to where I actually think I can get to.
“It has been so nice seeing so many old faces. I have felt quite relaxed and quite calm.
“I was obviously quite tense and nervous playing [in Greece] because we’re all golfers, you have a card in your hand.
“It is not easy, I hadn’t really done it in quite a long time.
“Yes, I was surprised [at how well I performed] but then when I actually analysed how I felt and how I played I wasn’t surprised because you do get what you deserve in golf. I thought I’d be rustier than I was.”
It isn’t just achievements on the course for which Wall is well-regarded.
While he may have stopped playing the game several years ago, he has walked the fairways as an on-course commentator, becoming one of the most respected voices on tour.
Just last week, Wall was commentating on The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, and his intention is to divide his time between both, with Wall recognising without commentary he may have lost his love for the sport.
“Commentary has kept me going in golf and I will never forget that,” he said.
“Even if I won four Majors in a row, I’d still do commentary. I love the people I work with.”
Remaining so close to the professional game means Wall knows more than most what it takes to succeed.
“I walk with the best in the world all the time so I constantly get reminded what I can’t do, how much length off the tee I have lost over the seven years,” he added.
“It’s a nice reminder of how far behind I am, but I also feel quite up to date and relevant as well in relation to where I need to be to be a really top player like [Pádraig] Harrington or [Miguel Ángel] Jiménez.
“But having watched the greats, I feel like I am on the right track. I was always someone who practised really hard as a young kid.
“If I am not going to have it now, I am never going to have it. For someone at my age, with the odd issue with my back and hips, it is better I get out there and enjoy the game.”
It isn’t just Wall that is feeling pride this week, with his entire family – including his two golf-loving sons – feeling the excitement at seeing their father swing a club again. Both were only in their early teens when he retired.
“They love the fact that I am lucky enough to do TV, they love to hear my opinions about things but to then back it up and go out and do it, they’re buzzing,” Wall said.
“They’ve been so happy to be looking at the app again to check the scores.”
