KAPALUA, Hawaii — Will ZalatorisDue to a back injury, he has been out of competition for over four months. He had plenty of time to reflect on a year of close calls, culminating in his first win, as well as to learn more about his body.
Zalatoris stated that probably more than I think ever wanted to, at the year-opening Tournament of Champions.
Zalatoris lost in a play-off at the PGA Championship. Justin ThomasBrookline champion, and narrowly missed a birdie par putt on the final hole. This would have forced a playoff. Matt Fitzpatrick. He then won the FedEx Cup playoff, winning a playoff of three holes without needing to make birdie. He only played two rounds of the BMW Championship before his back gave way.
Zalatoris stated that he met Greg Rose at Titleist Performance Institute to discuss how to continue his career.
We went through a whole assessment of where I am at and it was really I think keeping long-term in mind as opposed anything else, Zalatoris stated.
Zalatoris was the PGA Tours leader in approach to the greens, so the idea that something could be different made him pause.
He said, But I think that the biggest thing for me was we spent a lot time understanding the pressures on my golf swing and how I push off to my right side. And I do this later than most guys, so for someone with a lot more side bend, it means that my right hip is high and my spine is tilted.
And so, Dr. Rose said Duh. Its no surprise that I had a back issue.
He said that he was very fortunate that the motor pattern of his fix worked and not something structurally wrong. It took him 12 weeks to fully recover and he was able again to hit the ball in December. He changed how he set up for the ball and not what he did in the swing.
Zalatoris claimed that his swing is more efficient and has not lost any of his speed. Its now a matter losing rust.
He will be playing in his first competition in 138 days when he takes the greens on Thursday.