Will Zalatoris’ 2025 season is officially over—and so is any hope of a full, healthy campaign for the rising star whose career has become defined as much by potential as it has by pain.
On Monday, the 28-year-old confirmed that he underwent a second back surgery to repair re-herniated discs, cutting short another season marred by injury setbacks.
A Painful Pattern Returns
Zalatoris first went under the knife in April 2023, undergoing a microdiscectomy that sidelined him for eight months. After working his way back onto the PGA Tour and showing signs of promise in early 2025—including three Top 25 finishes in 11 starts—Zalatoris’ body simply couldn’t keep up.
“This spring, I started feeling some discomfort and instability in my back that progressively got worse,” he shared on social media. Following the PGA Championship, an MRI confirmed the worst: two discs had re-herniated.
On Friday, he underwent surgery at the Texas Back Institute, performed by Dr. Michael Duffy. Though he’s optimistic about his long-term health, Zalatoris won’t return to competition until at least the fall.
A Career Interrupted—Again
Just three years ago, Zalatoris was ranked seventh in the world and seemed poised to become one of the Tour’s elite. In 2021-22, he posted nine Top 10 finishes, including his maiden victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, a signature playoff win that marked his arrival.
But since then, injuries have dismantled the momentum. Zalatoris has now played just 22 official events in the last two seasons combined. Despite his raw ball-striking prowess and major-contending ability, he’s become another talented young player whose trajectory is tied to his health chart.
His last full tournament was the PGA Championship, after which the MRI results prompted immediate surgical action. The irony? That same major was where Zalatoris first introduced himself as a fearless competitor, finishing runner-up in 2022.
The Long Road Back To the PGA
Zalatoris insists he’s feeling optimistic after surgery, and for fans, that’s the glimmer of hope. But back injuries—especially repeat disc issues in elite athletes—are notoriously tricky. With its high-speed torque and spine-heavy motion, his swing adds to the challenge.
The statement closes on a hopeful note: “I’m happy to say that I woke up feeling good and excited about my long-term back health… I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.”
Still, there’s no guarantee that “the fall” means full strength or that his body will ever again hold up over a full PGA Tour schedule.
Zalatoris has already earned nearly $20 million in career prize money and carved out a place in golf’s modern narrative. But until he can string together healthy months—let alone seasons—he’ll remain in limbo: not quite forgotten, but not fully present in the sport’s most defining moments.
The game is better when Will Zalatoris is competing. Here’s hoping this latest chapter leads to a permanent turning point—not just another pause in a career that has so often felt like it was just about to take off.
