Will Zalatoris will miss out on the chance to win the FedEx Cup and the $18m bonus that comes with it after withdrawing from the season-ending Tour Championship due to a back injury.
The 26-year-old would have started the PGA Tour’s finale just three shots back of leader Scottie Scheffler after an impressive season, which included a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship and a breakthrough triumph at the the FedEx St Jude Championship earlier this month.
Zalatoris, who is second on the DP World Tour Rankings, was four strokes off the lead at last week’s BMW Championship when he tweaked his back during the third round at Wilmington Country Club, where he tried to continue playing before withdrawing after the next hole. The American had hoped to compete this week but the diagnosis of two herniated discs put a stop to that as well as a maiden outing at the Presidents Cup next month.
Will Zalatoris has withdrawn in the third round @BMWChamps with a back injury. pic.twitter.com/mwV9SC06SF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 20, 2022
A statement from Allen Hobbs on behalf of Will Zalatoris said: “After Will’s withdrawal from the BMW Championship on Saturday, his medical team determined that the source of his back pain is two herniated discs.
“Unfortunately, this means that Will is unable to play this week at the Tour Championship. He is also very disappointed that he will not have the opportunity to play in next month’s Presidents Cup, where he was hoping to play for Captain [Davis] Love and represent the United States.
“Will would like to thank his fans, sponsors, the Tour, and his team for all of their support. He is fully focused on getting healthy and back onto the course as soon as he is able.”
