WILL ZALATORIS HAS TO START BEING REMEMBERED FOR HIS TIME ON THE COURSE HEADING INTO A CRUCIAL 2024

Mario Russo

15 months ago, a unique look rimmed the wide-eyes of Will Zalatoris on a humid late afternoon In Memphis. Just moments after sinking his putt to secure a playoff against Sepp Straka at the FEDEX St. Jude Championship, Zalatoris sent a linear gaze towards the fans that stood around him. 

His look was sharp, brief, and packed to the brim of his eyelids with redemption as he mouthed the words “What are they gonna say now” towards supporters gathered along the perimeter of the 18th green. 

A group that did anything but deliver upon what their adherent label suggested they do leading up to what has stood as the biggest shot for the 27-year old In his half-a-dozen years on TOUR. 

Now, as the calendar shifts from late November to early December, Zalatoris - seven months removed from his microdiscectomy surgery that took place following his withdrawal from the 2023 Masters - made his return to professional golf earlier today at the Hero World Challenge.

Despite finishing at the bottom of the shortened field with a 9-over par opening round, the signature look of danger that once devilishly danced throughout the eyes of Zalatoris at St. Jude, has made its way back to the PGA Tour.

Just like the lineup of doubters waiting for him to crumble once more, as he did after last year’s magical moment In Memphis that left Zalatoris injured for the majority of 2023. 

Unable to leer daggers as he once did when being forgotten was a common discourse - a theme that still rings true today as Zalatoris trots around the Bahamas with a healthier back and a new flatstick peering out of his golf bag. 

According to Zalatoris, the switch comes as a potential remedy for his putting woes around the greens, an area of his game that has lagged far behind the rest of his capabilities with the other clubs nestled In his bag. 

In each of his first three seasons on TOUR, Zalatoris ranked outside the top-100 In strokes gained putting and particularly saw his performance on the greens decline within 10-feet of the pin. 

Drawing Inspiration from that of Lucas Glover, who used the same branded L.A.B putter during his hot streak to close out the 2023 season, Zalatoris believes pairing the unique rhythm of the putter with the angle that It gives him above the ball can help round out his game In time for 2024. 

As Zalatoris experiments with his new club and works towards retaining his form prior to the lower-back injuries that plagued him, the upcoming PGA Tour season remains a crucial year for the once highly-touted young star to show his elite skill set and start winning tournaments.

There is no longer any room to peer into the glimpses of what the 27-year old can bring or what kind of product he can become. The winning window for Zalatoris is beginning to open up and cannot afford to be slammed shut once more on the count of another prolonged absence due to injury. 

For a swinger that’s been perceived as an afterthought over his professional career, the only way left for Zalatoris to break free from his forgotten identity rests In his ability to return to unforgettable territory. 

Whether that occurs next season to close out one of the eight signature events on the TOUR schedule or through one of the four major tournaments of the year, the time to put his name alongside some of the game’s current stars is rapidly approaching and cannot go unattended. 

After spending over half of the year on the injured list, Zalatoris is now healthy, just as he once was when he created a moment that still remains burned into the world of golf over a year later. 

At St. Jude, Zalatoris birthed a memory that started with an indelible putt and ended with an unforgettable stare. Although injuries leading up to the 2024 season have faded this recollection of Zalatoris roaming the brink of golf’s excellence, his path to remembrance has resurfaced amidst his comeback, and the dangerous look that once populated his eyes isn't trailing very far behind.