Will Zalatoris transformed his career in 2020, turning in a sensational season on the second tier Korn Ferry Tour and transferring that quality to the highest stage. Zalatoris attended Wake Forest College, graduating in 2018 with a degree in psychology. He enjoyed golfing success at college level too. After a sticky start to his career in the pro ranks his progress quickened in the year that the world slowed down and he earned Special Temporary Membership for the PGA Tour after the 2020 Bermuda Championship, a consequence of making the most of his limited opportunities. At the 2020 US Open, Zalatoris finished tied sixth, confirming his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the game of golf. He then reiterated that impression with a dazzling tournament debut in the 2021 Masters, claiming solo second behind Hideki Matsuyama.
In July 2019 he finished third at the KFT’s LECOM Health Challenge and earned qualification for the rest of the season.
In his second season on the second tier in 2020 Zalatoris displayed remarkable consistency. The final 11 of those appearances reaped nine top six finishes including victory in the TPC Colorado Championship.
Two years after he had last played on the PGA Tour (he made eight appearances between 2015 and 2018, making one cut), Zalatoris finished sixth in the US Open at Winged Foot. He maintained that momentum in his rookie season on the PGA Tour and seemed impervious to the pressure of playing with limited playing rights. Never was that more apparent than when he landed solo second in the 2021 Masters, very nearly becoming the first Augusta debutant since 1979 to win a Green Jacket. He broke par in all four rounds.
