ATLANTA Will ZalatorisTwo herniated disks in the back of PGA Tour winner Corey prompted him to withdraw from the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.
Zalatoris, 26 years old, was injured on the third hole in the third round of Saturdays BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware. Zalatoris tried to play through the injury, but he had to withdraw on the next hole.
Zalatoris is the ninth-ranked player on the Official World Golf Ranking. His agent also announced that Zalatoris wont be competing in the Presidents Cup at Quail hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina next month.
He is also disappointed that he wont be able to play in the Presidents Cup next month, where he had hoped to play for Captain [Davis]Allen Hobbs, Zalatoris’ agent, stated in a statement that he loves and represents the United States. … He is determined to get well and get back on the course as soon he can.
Zalatoris was just one shy of earning one spot on the U.S. team in the Presidents Cup. He is currently ranked seventh in the Presidents Cup points standings and would have been among six captains selections for the team.
After so many near misses Zalatoris finally won his first PGA Tour title by defeating Sepp StrakaIn a playoff at FedEx St. Jude Championship, Aug. 14.
The former Wake Forest star was third in the FedEx Cup playoffs points standings. He was slated for start 3 strokes behind leader Scottie SchefflerHe will be making his debut in the Tour Championship, which starts Thursday.
Zalatoris will not replace Zalatoris in the East Lake 30-man field, but will be given a $500,000 bonus. The FedEx Cup champion gets $18 million.