RUNNING AWAY

Mario Russo

Embedded in the roots of success lie the seeds of decline. Failure, and above all else: heartbreak. The moments when meters turn to inches. Fairways turn to greens. The runner-up turns and runs away.

All these feelings, alongside each and every moment were found within one of golf’s youngest and brightest stars this past Sunday. Under the warm Memphis sky, 25-year old Will Zalatoris secured his first ever win on TOUR following 55 consecutive tournaments that left the San Francisco native at bay.

Not only did Zalatoris’ victory bump himself into the world’s top 10 rankings, It also sets the youngster up nicely for the 18-million dollar prize in the next few weeks. But setting the table for success was never the issue for Zalatoris, sitting atop the global ranks in both approaching greens and landing his initial shots within reach of the flag.

What the fans at TPC Southwinds got to witness this past Sunday was nothing short of historic. Whether it came on the 18th to secure par, or even along those very same greens on the second hole of the playoff, fans got to witness Will obtain one of the most dangerous weapons in golf: the ability to close it all out.

Easier said than done, many golfers naturally possess this ‘holy-grail’ trait, and have relied on it mightily to cement their names in the frameworks of this game. Yet more often than not, those residing outside the one percent of the sport will throw everything they got into closing out a weekend, and will still come up just short.

That is the exact same spot the young Zalatoris found himself nearly two months ago on the final hole of the U.S Open. With all eyes glued to Zalatoris’ chance at pushing Matthew Fitzpatrick to a playoff, the 25-year old grazed the cup from in close to hand his English competitor the victory.

Before the U.S Open got away from the California native, being the runner-up slowly became the identity of Zalatoris. Second in the PGA Championship. Second best in the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

Yet with the season just weeks away from wrapping up, Will Zalatoris made sure to secure an answer for the critics and even moreso, an answer to himself that he can, and will be one of the leading frontrunners the rest of the way.

And it all comes down to those moments when in a split second, your identity shifts from choker to champion. This past Sunday will remain monumental for many reasons, with none being no greater than the runner up finally running away with it.