GOLF
Why isn’t Will Zalatoris playing in the 2024 Byron Nelson?
The American golfer announced he is “frustrated” at having to withdraw and hopes to play next year.
Will Zalatoris has withdrawn from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The golfer, who is resident in Texas, explained that he won’t be playing because his back “needs some rest & recovery.”
What happened to Zalatoris’ back?
Zalatoris underwent back surgery just over a year ago, at the start of April, 2023. He had a microdiscetomy and was out for the rest of the 2023 season. The surgery removes part or all of a damaged disc in the lower spine. At the time Zalatoris said “playing and living in pain is not fun.”
in a post on Instagram, the 27-year-old said that his back is “ahead of schedule” according to his doctors, but that he “needs to be prudent” as he comes back.
Zalatoris thanked sponsors CJ for their support of his “hometown tournament” and said he was looking forward to going after the trophy again in 2025.
Zalatoris’ highest ranking came in September 2022, when he reached number 7 in the world. He’s currently down at 30.
The Byron Nelson
Byron Nelson is widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, playing between 1935 and 1946. The tournament, held at the TPC Craig Ranch, has been named after Nelson since 1968. It is currently sponsored by CJ Group, a South Korean conglomerate.