Will Zalatoris is facing a difficult period right now, and his decision to pull out of the Cognizant Classic highlights the challenges he is dealing with.
Zalatoris has been dealing with back issues for years and has only managed 13 starts since the beginning of the 2025 season.
His total will not increase this week either, as he pulled out of the Cognizant Classic just before it began.
He had promised that 2026 would bring significant improvement, but so far, things have not changed much for the 29-year-old.
Reason behind Will Zalatoris’ Cognizant Classic withdrawal confirmed
Zalatoris must be feeling the frustration of yet another setback.
He opened 2026 with a T-18 finish followed by a missed cut, and now he has had to miss the start of the Florida Swing as well.
According to the PGA Tour website, Zalatoris pulled out of the event because of an ankle injury.
“Will Zalatoris withdrew from the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches Thursday morning just prior to his opening round tee time at PGA National, citing a left ankle injury.
“Zalatoris, one of the biggest names in the field this week at PGA National, was set to make his third start of the season playing on a major medical extension as he attempts to reestablish momentum following significant back surgeries that sidelined him in recent years.
“He did not detail the nature of the ankle injury,” read the PGA Tour statement.
The fact that Zalatoris’ withdrawal was not due to his back is actually a positive development, despite the obvious frustration he must have felt.
Having two distinct back operations before turning 30 presents a significant worry.
Will Zalatoris needs to take his time returning from injury
Zalatoris’ fans are no doubt eager to see him back on the course soon.
Hopefully, the ankle issue that kept him out of the Cognizant Classic is not too serious, and we will see him return before long.
But after everything Zalatoris has been through, it is important that he does not push himself back into action before he is ready.
He already has a remarkable list of injuries for someone at this stage of their career.
The 29-year-old has the talent and potential to be in the mix for major championships, but right now, his body just is not cooperating. Hopefully, that changes for him in the future.
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