Professional golfer
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris is one of golf’s most compelling recent almost-champions: a towering, technically excellent ball-striker whose breakthrough PGA TOUR win came at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship. He has finished runner-up at the Masters and PGA Championship, but recurring back problems have interr
Ask HH about Will Zalatoris
AT A GLANCE
Quick facts
- Born
- August 16, 1996San Francisco, California
- Height
- 6 ft 2 in1.88 m
- College
- Wake ForestPsychology
- Turned pro
- 2018PGA TOUR member from 2021-22
- PGA TOUR wins
- 12022 FedEx St. Jude Championship
- Career earnings
- About $20.1 millionOfficial PGA TOUR money
THE STORY
What to know
AT A GLANCE
Who he is
A 6-foot-2 American professional from San Francisco who grew up and lives in Dallas. He played college golf at Wake Forest and turned professional in 2018.
CAREER
His biggest achievements
Zalatoris has one PGA TOUR victory, but his record includes several major-championship near-misses and a strong early professional rise.
- 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship winner
- 2022 Masters runner-up
- 2022 PGA Championship runner-up
- 2021 U.S. Open T6
- 2021 PGA Championship T8
- 2021-22 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year
PLAYING STYLE
Why his game stands out
His identity is built around high-quality iron play, a powerful but controlled move, and the ability to produce difficult approach shots under pressure. He has traditionally been more convincing tee-to-green than on the greens.
CURRENT FORM
Where he stands now
His 2026 season has been limited and uneven: he is 2-for-4 in cuts, with a T18 at The American Express and a T67 at the Valero Texas Open. His current world ranking and FedExCup position are far below his peak, reflecting missed time and limited starts.
THE SETBACKS
Back injuries changed his trajectory
Back injuries and surgery have repeatedly disrupted his playing schedule since his breakout period. That history is the central question around his career: not whether he has Tour-level ability, but whether he can stay healthy long enough to build sustained form.
EQUIPMENT
His current Titleist setup
Titleist lists Zalatoris with a Pro V1 ball and a mostly Titleist bag, including GT woods, T-Series irons and Vokey SM10 wedges.
- Titleist Pro V1 ball
- Titleist GT3 driver
- Titleist GT1 fairway wood
- Titleist GT3 hybrid
- Titleist T250 and T150 irons
- Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges
CAREER & GOLF JOURNEY
Notable moments
Wins U.S. Junior Amateur
Establishes himself as one of America’s leading junior golfers.
Wake Forest standout
Wins ACC Player of the Year and earns first-team All-America honors.
Breakthrough on Korn Ferry Tour
Wins the TPC Colorado Championship and earns his PGA TOUR opportunity.
Major breakthrough
Finishes runner-up at the Masters and earns PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors.
Wins first PGA TOUR title
Defeats Sepp Straka in a playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Fights through back problems
Surgery and recurring back issues limit his starts and interrupt his rise.
RECENT FORM
Recent results and activity
| Event | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|
| The American Express | T18 | 2026-01-25 |
| Farmers Insurance Open | CUT | 2026-02-01 |
| Texas Children's Houston Open | CUT | 2026-03-29 |
| Valero Texas Open | T67 | 2026-04-05 |
WHAT'S IN THE BAG
Equipment
- Driver
- Titleist GT39-degree loft listed by TitleistOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
- Fairway
- Titleist GT114.5-degree loft listed by TitleistOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
- Hybrid
- Titleist GT319-degree loft listed by TitleistOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
- Irons
- Titleist T250 and T1504-iron T250; 5-iron through pitching wedge T150 listed by TitleistOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
- Wedges
- Titleist Vokey Design SM1050, 54 and 60.04T lofts listedOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
- Ball
- Titleist Pro V1Titleist-listed ballOfficial WITB · 2026-09-14
HH take
Why this profile is worth exploring
Zalatoris is still worth watching because his ceiling is proven: he has already shown major-championship quality. The key indicator is simple—if his back holds up, his elite approach play gives him a realistic path back into contention.