Why Will Zalatoris Isn’t Concerned About Inconsistent 2024 Season

Will Zalatoris had just broken through on the PGA Tour when the injury bug struck.

Just one week after getting his first win almost exactly two years ago at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he suffered a back injury that required surgery. 

It was a bump in the road for the 27-year-old who took the golf world by storm by finishing runner-up in three out of the first eight majors he played in, which included a playoff loss to Justin Thomas at the 2022 PGA Championship.

This year, it’s been an up-and-down return to action for the Wake Forest alum. He played well in a few big tournaments, finishing runner-up at The Genesis Invitational, fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and ninth at the Masters. But he also hasn’t played the weekend in four of his last five events due to three missed cuts and a withdrawal at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

But Zalatoris said he’s not concerned about the lack of consistency. 

Zalatoris said Tuesday in Greensboro, North Carolina, for the Wyndham Championship:

“One thing that my surgeons did a good job of telling me was that the first year, your recovery is going to kind of feel like the stock market, where it goes up and down, but the line of best fit is going to hopefully trend up.”

Despite the recent struggles, Zalatoris is safe to make the FedEx Cup playoffs. Currently in 45th, he will need a strong finish this week and at the St. Jude next week to remain in the top 50 to advance to the BMW Championship. Being in the top 50 also makes him eligible for all the majors and PGA Tour Signature Events next year.

He added:

“I think if you would have put me in this position kind of where I was at this point last year, I definitely would be happy, but by no means I would say I’m satisfied with my play so far this year.”

The job’s not finished yet.

Currently No. 45 in the #FedExCup Standings, @WillZalatoris will need to play his way into the top 30 in order to make it to East Lake for the @TOURChamp. pic.twitter.com/1BmhXOfHTP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 6, 2024

This might be an article you want to remember when it comes time to pick your dark horses for 2025!

Cover Image via PGA TOUR