Will Zalatoris is close to returning to competition. What better place to reassimilate into work than Maui.
Zalatoris, who has been sidelined since August due to injury, has committed to the Sentry Tournament of Champions beginning January 5 at the Plantation course at Kapalua Golf Resort.
The 26-year-old is coming off a campaign highlighted by runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship and US Open, with Zalatoris earning his first career tour victory at the FedEx St Jude Championship in a playoff against Sepp Straka. Unfortunately for Zalatoris, his season came to an abrupt halt the week after his inaugural win, withdrawing midway through the BMW Championship because of back pain. An MRI revealed that Zalatoris, who has a history of back issues, had two herniated discs.
The injury ultimately forced Zalatoris out of the season finale at East Lake along with the Presidents Cup the next month. Zalatoris finished the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season first in strokes gained/approach and strokes gained/tee-to-green, third in official money and 10th in scoring average.
Zalatoris was originally scheduled to play in Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge last week, but withdrew his name from the field. He is currently seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking.
According to the PGA Tour, US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick and rising star Tom Kim are also among the first-time tour winners who have committed to play in Maui. Historically a winners-only event, the Tournament of Champions is also inviting all those who qualified for the 2022 Tour Championship into this year’s field.
