Player Zalatoris out of action until fall following second back surgery

Professional Golfer Will Zalatoris Undergoes Second Microdiscectomy Surgery

World number 84 Will Zalatoris, who clinched his sole PGA Tour victory at the 2022 St. Jude Championship, has announced that he underwent microdiscectomy surgery this past May to address a re-herniated disc issue in his back. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michael Duffy of the Texas Back Institute.

In a statement on Instagram, Zalatoris revealed that the decision for surgery was made after missing the cut at the PGA Championship. He explained that he had been feeling discomfort and back instability since the spring, which worsened progressively. An MRI following the PGA Championship confirmed the re-herniated discs.

Despite the surgery, Zalatoris expressed optimism about his recovery. "I woke up feeling good and excited about my long-term back health," he said in the Instagram post. He is targeting a return to competition in the fall of 2025.

This spells a tournament absence for the US Open (June), British Open (July), and the PGA Tour playoffs (August). This recovery timeline also mirrors Zalatoris' eight-month hiatus from competitive golf after undergoing microdiscectomy surgery for the first time in April 2023.

Since his recovery return from the 2023 surgery, Zalatoris has failed to secure a top-10 finish. He has three major runner-up finishes to his credit—at the 2021 Masters, 2022 PGA Championship, and 2022 US Open.

According to the Enrichment Data, the recovery timeline for professional golfers undergoing microdiscectomy surgery is usually around eight months. Returning too early risks re-injury, while a full recovery allows for a more sustainable comeback, albeit with disruptions to competitive continuity.

For additional context, past incidents show that Zalatoris had undergone surgery after injuries sustained at the Masters practice area in 2023 and was sidelined for eight months before his return at the 2023 Hero World Challenge.

Zalatoris' lengthy recovery period means he will likely miss key tournaments such as the US Open, British Open, and PGA Tour playoffs, similar to his absence in 2023 after his first surgery.
In the world of health-and-wellness, sports therapies-and-treatments like microdiscectomy surgeries can help address severe injuries like Zalatoris' re-herniated disc issue, which is common in golf and other fitness-and-exercise activities.
As Zalatoris targets a fall 2025 return to competition, he may seek various health strategies, including science-backed fitness-and-exercise routines and wellness practices to ensure a smooth comeback and bolster his chances of PGA Tour success.