Looks like Will Zalatoris is still suffering from the pain of getting beaten down by Happy Gilmore at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. The 29-year-old had been troubled with injuries for most of 2025. He missed nearly seven months of action because of injuries. However, Zalatoris returned to the course at the beginning of 2026. But it looks like he may need a break from the course once again.

As reported by Underdog Golf, “Will Zalatoris a WD from the Cognizant Classic.”

Zalatoris had not teed off at the Champion Course yet. He was grouped with Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger and was due to tee off at 12:23 P.M. (EST). However, as he withdrew before joining the field, Ben Silverman was asked to replace him in the group.

The 29-year-old was already having a tough time on the course. He started his 2026 campaign with a T18 finish at the American Express. Zalatoris then missed the cut at the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines a week later. Considering his recent form, he would have been at a disadvantage playing alongside Koepka and Berger.

Berger has already bagged a T6 finish at the Sony Open this year. As far as the five-time major champion goes, he will be playing on his home course. And as Jena Sims had confirmed, Koepka’s entire family will be behind the ropes cheering for him.

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Interestingly, a new update dropped in by PGA Tour reporter Paul Hodowanic, who revealed Zalatoris’ status. He revealed that the 29-year-old’s back issues from 2025 haven’t relapsed. Instead, the reason behind his withdrawal is entirely different.

Hodowanic tweeted, “This is not directly related to any back issues, FYI. Per our reporter on-site @jimmyreinman, Zalatoris withdrew with a left ankle injury.”

Having said that, let’s look at the timeline of the back issues that troubled him last season.

Will Zalatoris’ back issues that ruined his 2025

After missing the cut at the 2025 PGA Championship, Will Zalatoris didn’t play a single event last season. The reason was that he was experiencing severe pain in his back. After an MRI scan, the doctors diagnosed that he had two re-herniated discs.

In May 2025, Zalatoris underwent surgery from Dr. Michael Duffy at the Texas Back Institute. Thanks to his expertise, the procedure went smoothly. And after it was completed, he finally decided to comment on it.

Zalatoris revealed on Instagram, “This spring, I started feeling some discomfort and instability in my back that progressively got worse.”

But he also revealed that he was relieved after the surgery was completed. It took him seven months to completely recover from it. Now that he is injured again, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to recover this time around.