NASSAU (Bahamas)- Golfers around the world are waiting with bated breathe for this week’s arrival of NASSAU.
Tiger Woods? Will Zalatoris has been out of the game for even longer than Tiger Woods. He played his last match at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play back in March.
Zalatoris, who spoke at a press event before the Hero World Challenge held at Albany Golf Club on Tuesday, said that it was “a golfer’s worst nightmare” to feel your back give out 30 minutes before tee-time on the Augusta driving range.
Zalatoris underwent microdiscectomy surgery two days after withdrawing from the Masters tournament in April. Seven months after withdrawing from the Masters in April, Zalatoris is finally ready to compete in this 20-man unofficial tournament.
Zalatoris avoided having surgery for as long as possible. He had back problems at the 2021 British Open where he withdrew before the second round. Then, he suffered two herniated disks in August last year, a week after claiming the FedEx St. Jude Championship, his first PGA Tour victory. When his back started to act up in the third round at the BMW Championship, he was leading the FedEx Cup. He missed the Tour Championship as well as the Presidents Cup. Zalatoris had the option of surgery, but opted to rest and rehab instead.
Will Zalatoris hit from the 11th Fairway at the Nicklaus Tournament Course on the PGA West in La Quinta on Thursday, January 19, 2023. (Photo: Taya Gray, Desert Sun)
He said that no surgeon would perform back surgery on a 26-year-old.
Zalatoris returned to the Sentry in January and scored a T-4 for the Genesis Invitational. However, he was never 100 percent. He made several adjustments to his swing so as to relieve the strain on his back.
He said that he had “kind of gotten away from who I am as golfer.”
Zalatoris’ recovery after surgery “wasn’t in a straight-line” but he has made steady and slow progress. He couldn’t even pick up his dog for five or four months, let alone swing a golf club. He listened to both his doctor and wife who said it was too early to play four days in a row.
He said, “I am better at knowing myself physically and mentally.” “I think this time off will bring a lot of benefits.”
He has stopped sitting on barstools because they are bad for posture. He does not travel with a backpack. He also said that he enjoyed his time at home.
He completed his psychology degree while on leave at Wake Forest University. He needed to finish a few electives including one in which he created a LinkedIn profile and a résumé. The younger Demon Deacons won’t be competing with Zalatoris on the job market – unless they plan to pursue a career in the Tour. Zalatoris believes that he will be able to return to his former form once his health is restored. Zalatoris was ranked No. 8 in the World at the time of the injury, and he has been knocking at the door in majors. He has six top-10 finishes in eight major appearances.
He said, “I’m going to be able to take a lot away from it this week, regardless of how I play.” “I’m going be able take a lot from this week, you know, no matter how I play,” he said.
