Last week, Will Zalatoris announced that he’s due to undergo spinal-fusion surgery in November, which will sideline him for the entire 2027 season. It will be the 30-year-old’s third major back surgery since 2023.
“I’ve been through four years of hell so it’s good to have something that will hopefully correct it,” Zalatoris said. “It’s not something you want to do, but when you have three tour physical therapists tell you it needs to be done at some time, you go ahead and do it.”
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It’s the prudent move for Zalatoris, who will still be in the prime of his career when he returns in 2028. But past results are no guarantee of future success, especially coming off another major surgery. As good as he once was, his future is an uncertain one.
That’s a heavy thought not only for Zalatoris but for Zalatoris believers, who watched him finished runner-up in three majors between 2021 and 2022 and cement himself as one of, if not the, best ball-strikers in the sport.
We discussed those what-ifs, and some future ones, on this week’s episode of The Loop podcast. Plus, we chatted with Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield and lifelong Winnipeg Jet Mark Scheifele, who will face off in the NHL’s Heritage Classic Sunday, October 25 at 7 p.m. E.T. on TNT. Please, have a listen below, and like and subscribe to The Loop wherever you get your podcasts:
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
