Will Zalatoris: Down but Not Out? The Golfer’s Battle Against Injury and Doubt
Golf can be a heartbreaker, and few stories illustrate this better than Will Zalatoris’s journey. Just a few years ago, he was the rising star of the sport—a FedEx Cup playoff winner, a Masters runner-up, and a top-10 fixture in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). But here’s where it gets controversial: after a string of injuries, many are asking, Is Zalatoris’s career cooked, or can he stage a comeback?
Let’s rewind. From 2020 to 2024, Zalatoris was a force to be reckoned with in the majors. Think of him as a leaner, hungrier version of Brooks Koepka—consistently contending, though never quite clinching a major title. He racked up seven top-10 finishes, including three runner-up spots, and came agonizingly close to victory at the 2022 PGA Championship and U.S. Open. The future seemed bright, with Zalatoris poised to dominate majors, team golf, and the PGA Tour for years.
But golf, like life, is unpredictable. Recurring injuries have derailed his momentum, and the latest setback—a left ankle issue forcing his withdrawal from the Cognizant Classic—has left fans wondering if he’ll ever return to form. And this is the part most people miss: while the ankle injury is new, it’s his chronic back problems that have been the real villain of his story.
At just 29, Zalatoris has already endured a rollercoaster of physical setbacks. A 2022 back injury sidelined him for four months, and a microdiscectomy in 2023 kept him off the course for another eight. Even after returning, his performance dipped, with only three top-10 finishes in 2024 and a plummeting OWGR ranking. Another surgery in 2025 forced him out for another eight months, and now, with his latest injury, he sits outside the top 250 in the world rankings.
But here’s the twist: Zalatoris isn’t ready to throw in the towel. After his most recent surgery, he’s more optimistic than ever. He describes the recovery as smoother than previous attempts, likening it to “replacing the missing pieces in a Jenga tower” rather than just removing broken ones. He’s even grown three-quarters of an inch taller, and for the first time in four years, he’s free from sciatica pain. “I’m pushing myself harder than ever,” he shared during the American Express. “I’m doing things I haven’t been able to do in years.”
Swing-wise, Zalatoris is reinventing himself. He’s working to reduce the side bend in his downswing, drawing inspiration from players like Patrick Cantlay and Tiger Woods, who also battled back injuries. “It’s about executing now,” he said. “The three years of pain and uncertainty are behind me.”
There’s hope in his recent performances too—a solo 15th on the DP World Tour and a tie for 18th at The American Express. Yet, the question remains: Can he fully regain the confidence and form that once made him a major contender?
Golf’s fickleness is what makes it so captivating. Zalatoris’s unconventional putting stroke and wiry frame once drew attention, but now, it’s his resilience that’s under the microscope. As he puts it, “Going through one surgery is one thing, but going through it again? That’s where the mental battle gets tough.”
I’ve been a fan of Zalatoris since his standout days at Wake Forest, and seeing him struggle is tough. But if anyone can write an unbelievable comeback story, it’s him. The question is, will he?
What do you think? Is Zalatoris’s career cooked, or is this just another chapter in his comeback story? Let’s debate it in the comments. And while you’re at it, consider this: How much does mental resilience play in overcoming physical setbacks? Is it possible for a player to fully recover from years of injury-induced doubt? Your thoughts could spark the next great golf debate!
