The first time Zalatoris injured his back was shortly after the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship. The American golfer had just won his first-ever PGA Tour title then but his celebrations were cut short when he was forced rehab for his back discomfort. He also had to introduce changes to his swing. But despite such measures, Zalatoris had to undergo a microdisectomy in April 2023. But his struggles were far from over.

The old demons are back. In an Instagram post, that caught the golfing world by surprise, Zalatoris detailed his plight. This spring, I started feeling some discomfort and instability in my back that progressively got worse,” he wrote, explaining how the pain had been building over time. After the 2025 PGA Championship where his performance did not leave the desired impression, Zalatoris underwent an MRI. What followed? Two re-herniated discs.

Surgery followed as the 28-year-old sought the help of Dr. Michael Duffy at the Texas Back Institute.“ I’m happy to say that I woke up feeling good and excited about my long-term back health. Time to focus on my recovery and get back after it. Thank you to my team, friends, and family for being there for me throughout this journey. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the fall!!” But the discussion hasn’t come to a halt.

Zalatoris’ case was discussed in detail on the The Second Cut podcast. Mark Immelman was very concerned about his injury and its possible ramifications. “The sad news for Will is that once these things start to go. It is not like you can get them back into your spine. With that amount of tilt and side bend and stuff he has got going on in his swing, you know you start doing that again, you are essentially going to reaggravate the problem.” The South African sportscaster explained.

Zalatoris has had a testy 2025 Season. While he made 9 cuts in 11 events, he has zero top-10 finishes. His T12 at the American Express was his best finish. He also failed to make the cutline at both the majors, making it four straight majors without playing the weekend. (He had missed the cut at the 2024 US Open and the Open Championship). Amid such a difficult season, the one-time PGA Tour winner decided to undergo the procedure.

“I hope this is the last procedure. But we have seen this story before with Tiger Woods. Once Tiger had the thing fused, then it starts to proliferate itself into hips and knees and joints and stuff, because something else has to take the load.” Immelman explained his worry about Zalatoris’s case. “This is not good as far as I am concerned.” The commentator gave his verdict. Because Immelman has seen this happen with one of the best golfers in the world.

Tiger Woods’s troubling injury concerns

Tiger Woods has a troubled injury history. Woods’ back has caused most of his troubles and this is something Zalatoris better watch out for as he navigates his recovery journey. In 2010, Tiger Woods withdrew from the final round of the PLAYERS Championship due to a bulging disc. It later turned out to be a neck-related issue. But two years later, his lower pack developed a strain during the Barclays.

In the 2013 PGA Championship, Woods felt tightness in his back at the PGA Championship’s last round. This aggravated during the Barclays, causing him to drop to his knees after a shot due to back spasms. The issue recurred at the 2014 Honda Classic and the Cadillac before withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Within one and a half years, Woods had to undergo three microdiscectomy to address the issue.

His back had to endure six surgeries in 2017, 2021, and 2024. Zalatoris is far from his prime and this calls for heightened caution while he navigates the recuperation process.