Will Zalatoris once thought his career was over. Now, a single victory at the Valero Texas Open stands between him and a coveted spot at the Masters.

The possibility of winning a green jacket was something that seemed beyond reach for the golfer a few months ago as he tried to overcome a series of debilitating injuries.

“I think there were probably a few moments that I thought I was done,” Zalatoris admitted during a press conference in San Antonio.

"The fact that I'm able to come out and do this again and strike it the way I did and still have 178 ball speed, you know? After everything I've been through it's still really encouraging," he added.

After all, setbacks have marred Zalatoris’s road to success. The latest one was an ankle injury that forced him to withdraw from the Cognizant Classic mid-round in February.

In 2023, he even had to step away from the game, underwent back surgery, and didn't play for two years.

Overcoming Adversity on the Road to Augusta

He credited his current strength to the hard work done during the rehabilitation period, saying that the inability to make full shots forced him to focus only on his short game.

The forced layoff turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him, as it allowed him to get used to the broomstick putter, which he thinks has saved his competitive career.

Will Zalatoris is currently tied for seventh place with a 67 on his card from the first round at TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course).

His preparations for a return to the majors are evident, as he took his Augusta National yardage book with him to Texas just in case he wins the tournament.

Zalatoris is focused on his current form despite the pressure, hoping to turn a period of self-doubt into a triumphant walk down Magnolia Lane.

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi