Will Zalatoris Done for the Year - Microdiscectomy

[iacas]

Emphasis added (mine):

After careful consideration and seeking multiple medical opinions, I underwent a successful microdiscectomy on Saturday. As much as I hate not being able to play the rest of this season, I am happy that I am already seeing the benefits of the procedure. Playing and living in pain is not fun. I look forward to making a full recovery and seeing everyone in the fall. Thank you to Dr. Michael Duffy, Dr. Tom Kelton, and their respective teams for getting me fixed. And, of course, thank you to everyone for the support and the messages. I look forward to getting back to 100%.

Will Zalatoris (@willzalatoris) • Instagram photo

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41K Likes, 17 Comments - Will Zalatoris (@willzalatoris) on Instagram

[JetFan1983]

Really tough for the kid. Crazy he's only 26.

 

I dunno, I don't know if we want be blaming his swing, but... that looks mildly stressful on the lower back. 

Other players who underwent microdiscectomies: 

Lanto Griffin

Kevin Chappell

Graham DeLaet

Tiger Woods (he's had this surgery four times, mostly during 2014-15 I believe)

Again, sorry if it's off-base blaming his golf swing since those names above don't do anything particularly crazy in their motion relative to other tour guys, so it could just be a genetic thing, but damn. He's 26 and that's a lot of hip rotation combined with a lot of right-side bend.

Get well soon, Willy Z!

[deadon500]

I have had 2 of those also.   7 and 15 yrs ago.  Wear a lifting belt now to golf only. my swing is shorter now but I am a better golfer , a little shorter but in play a lot more. Hope it works out well for him............

[JetFan1983]

Will Zalatoris to undergo another back surgery, again for herniated discs. 

Will Zalatoris undergoes back surgery, expects to return in fall - PGA TOUR

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Will Zalatoris underwent back surgery last Friday, May 23, after re-herniating two discs, he said Monday on Instagram, and he expects to be sidelined until the

 

Brutal. He's only 28 years old.

I think this is his second back surgery. The first was April 2023, so approximately two years apart.

I'm really bummed out about this. I hope he can do whatever it takes to get healthy here, for the long term.

[GolfLug]

2 hours ago, JetFan1983 said:

Will Zalatoris to undergo another back surgery, again for herniated discs. 

Will Zalatoris undergoes back surgery, expects to return in fall - PGA TOUR

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Will Zalatoris underwent back surgery last Friday, May 23, after re-herniating two discs, he said...

 

Brutal. He's only 28 years old.

I think this is his second back surgery. The first was April 2023, so approximately two years apart.

I'm really bummed out about this. I hope he can do whatever it takes to get healthy here, for the long term.

That is rough..!

He does have age on his side though.

[iacas]

He's going to be older than Tiger with 1/100th the accomplishments if he keeps this up.

[grubby98]

he was a hot putter from a major just a few years ago.  speedy recovery

[p1n9183]

Maybe is time to rethink his swing, something less harmful for the back. Is not normal to have 2 surgeries that early in life. 

[saevel25]

Healthy backs just don’t go out. This is most likely wear and tear from his golf swing over many years. Sad being he is that young. I agree he needs a significant swing change.

[mdl]

On 5/28/2025 at 10:54 AM, p1n9183 said:

Maybe is time to rethink his swing, something less harmful for the back. Is not normal to have 2 surgeries that early in life. 

He DID overhaul his swing with an eye towards less back strain. Apparently not enough!

[iacas]

14 hours ago, mdl said:

He DID overhaul his swing with an eye towards less back strain. Apparently not enough!

It's not like it was starting over at 100% health.