From Rising Star to Injury-Plagued Struggler: Can Will Zalatoris Reclaim His Golf Glory?
Golf, a sport of precision and patience, can also be unforgivingly cruel. Just ask Will Zalatoris. Once a shining beacon of young talent, Zalatoris burst onto the scene with a FedEx Cup playoff win, a runner-up finish at the 2021 Masters, and a lofty No. 7 ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking. From 2020 to 2024, he was a consistent major contender, racking up seven top-10 finishes, including three runner-up spots. He was the nearly-man, losing in a playoff at the 2022 PGA Championship and narrowly missing another at that year’s U.S. Open. The future seemed bright—a major winner in the making, a staple of American team golf, and a PGA Tour force.
But here's where it gets controversial: Can a player truly recover from a string of devastating injuries, both physically and mentally? Zalatoris’s story has taken a heartbreaking turn. Recurring injuries, particularly a troublesome back, have derailed his career. A left ankle issue forced his withdrawal from the Cognizant Classic, adding to a long list of setbacks. At just 29, he’s endured more physical turmoil than most players face in a lifetime.
Let’s break it down:
- 2022 BMW Championship withdrawal: Sidelined for four months until the 2023 Sentry.
- Early 2023: Played sparingly before withdrawing from the Masters and undergoing a microdiscectomy.
- Late 2023: Returned after eight months at the Hero World Challenge.
- 2024: A full season with only three top-10 finishes, plummeting down the OWGR.
- 2025: Withdrew from the PGA Championship, underwent disc replacement surgery, and missed another eight months. His best finish last year? A T12 in 12 starts.
- Now: A left ankle injury adds to the woes, leaving him outside the top 250 in the OWGR.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the setbacks, Zalatoris remains optimistic. After his latest back surgery, he described the recovery as smoother, likening it to replacing missing pieces in a Jenga tower rather than removing broken ones. He’s even grown three-quarters of an inch taller! “This is the first time in four years I haven’t had sciatica,” he shared during the American Express. He’s pushing harder in the gym, working to ‘un-torque’ his back, and modeling his swing after players like Patrick Cantlay and Tiger Woods, who overcame similar injuries.
He’s shown glimpses of hope—a solo 15th on the DP World Tour, a T18 at The American Express. But the road back is steep. Golf’s fickleness raises questions: Can he regain the confidence that once made him fearless? Can he overcome the mental scars of repeated surgeries and setbacks?
Zalatoris’s journey is a testament to resilience, but it’s also a cautionary tale about the fragility of athletic careers. Is his story one of redemption waiting to happen, or is he a tragic reminder of golf’s unforgiving nature?
I’ve been a fan of Zalatoris since his college days at Wake Forest. His unconventional putting stroke and fearless approach to majors made him a standout. But now, with physical and mental scars, the question lingers: Can he reclaim his former glory?
What do you think? Is Zalatoris cooked, or can he mount an unbelievable comeback? Let’s debate it in the comments. One thing’s for sure—golf will be watching.
