PGA Tour Injury Update: Will Zalatoris Leaves Unfortunate Days Behind as Arnold Palmer Invitational Inches Closer

Will Zalatoris is back on the PGA Tour, marking a significant return after a prolonged absence! His painful experience over two strenuous years has made him cautious! He has also opted a more mindful approach towards his health and performance. Zalatoris’s return to the competitive circuit was first tested at the Genesis Invitational, where he stunned everyone with his T2 finish. He demonstrated that his recovery and strategic adjustments have positioned him well for success.

As he gears up for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Zalatoris shared insights about his comeback strategy! And, also the adjustments he’s made to ensure his competitive future remains bright without compromising his well-being.

“I feel awesome” says Will Zalatoris as he looks forward with optimism

Speaking at the pre-event press conference, Zalatoris shared his excitement about being healthy, noting a gradual return of speed and strength. “Yeah, I would say, so far, the body feels ahead of schedule. I’m slowly seeing speed come back,” he stated. The golfer also reflected how his T2 at Genesis helped him and nudged him in the right direction. “Riviera, that’s a place that I absolutely love so it was nice to get a good week under my belt, especially that early on in the season.” His thoughtful approach to managing his return to the Tour is evident in his cautious optimism and dedication to a disciplined recovery process.

Zalatoris’s strategy includes a focus on adaptive recovery techniques and a flexible schedule that allows him to respond to his body’s needs effectively. The PGA Tour pro mention that he has never had a recovery period that lasted for eight long months.

He mentioned, “I just didn’t want to jump the gun and say, Take the reins off, and get back to my old ways of practice… The changes feel great. I haven’t really had — I haven’t had any flare-ups or anything like that, so I feel awesome,” highlighting his positive progress and the absence of setbacks.

He acknowledged that this was the year he had set no bar for himself and for his body. “I came in with really no expectations this year, in terms of my body,”  he explained, indicating a mindful approach to regain his form while avoiding the pitfalls of overexertion. The golfer is excited to be a part of the field at the $20 million event, and also expressed it fully.

The PGA Tour is excited to tee it up!

The golfer’s connection to the event is a special one for him! “This event means a lot to me, obviously being on the Arnold Palmer Scholarship at Wake Forest,” said  the 27-year-old. He also touched upon the significance of playing at Bay Hill, where he has competed four times and secured a top-10 finish in 2021,  “This is a pretty tough venue in general, and normally it’s green on Thursday and brown by Sunday, and it only gets harder and harder as the week goes on. So I’m looking forward to the test,” Zalatoris remarked, acknowledging the challenging conditions of the course that Palmer loved.

Read more: PGA Tour Update: Will Zalatoris Exit Mexico Open in an Alarming Move?

In 2022, Zalatoris suffered an injury of two herniated disks during the BMW Championship and announced the 2022 Hero World Challenge as his comeback event. Near the event, he realized that he wasn’t ready and postponed his comeback for the Sentry. He had not heal by then and had to withdraw from the 2023 Augusta showdown. After undergoing eight-month recovery and a microdiscectomy, Zalatoris has entered a phase of cautious optimism, and it is sure showing!

Will the 27-year-old pro continue to keep up with his impressive performance that of Genesis Invitational, or will he succumb to his injuries? We can only find out once the event stars! Stay tuned for all the latest updates!

Read more: ‘She Was With Me All Week’: Will Zalatoris Breaks Down at Riviera After Unexpectedly Losing a Family Member