The news
Real talk: the vibes are currently off for Will Zalatoris. The 30-year-old golf pro just announced he’s taking the entire 2027 PGA Tour season off to prioritize his health. He confirmed on Wednesday that he’s heading under the knife in November for spinal-fusion surgery.
Why it’s happening
Zalatoris has been fighting through what he called "four years of hell" with his back. He’s had to listen to three different tour physical therapists who all told him this surgery was non-negotiable. This is actually his third major back surgery since 2023, following a microdiscectomy in 2023 and a disc replacement in 2025. It’s giving resilience, but the man is ready for a real fix. He even joked, "I’m the oldest 30-year-old you will ever meet."
The current state of play
Before he hits the recovery room, Zalatoris is gearing up for one last hoorah. He’s set to play in the Austin Championship at the Omni Barton Creek Resort from November 12-15. This will be his first competitive start since the Texas Open back in early April. He only managed four tournaments total in 2026, largely because a torn labrum was also giving him a hard time.
Since exploding onto the scene in 2021, Zalatoris has been a total main character on the greens. He snagged seven top-10 finishes in his first 10 majors as a pro, including massive runner-up moments at the 2021 Masters and the 2022 PGA and U.S. Open. His lone PGA Tour win came at the 2022 St. Jude Championship.
Why it matters
This is a huge L for golf fans who love watching him compete. Zalatoris is keeping his head up, though, and is already eyeing a 2028 comeback for the Challenger Series. We’re rooting for him to bounce back—say less on the recovery, just get it done.
