With a back ailment Will Zalatoris withdraws from the Masters before the first round first tee time.
At 1:24 p.m. ET on Thursday the world No. 8 was slated to tee off alongside Matt Fitzpatrick the U.S. Open winner and Collin Morikawa.
Its Zalatoris most recent setback following two herniated discs in his back which caused him to miss the last four months of the year. At the WGC-Match Play two weeks ago he also became sick with a stomach ailment which led to his losing seven pounds in a week.
“However my back doctor emailed me [Tuesday] and told me to enjoy this week since being here was the reason I came back and you’ve already competed in seven events. You’ve finished well before schedule.
It serves as a good reminder that if you had asked me in October I would have said that I had a 50/50 chance of playing here and that my participation in seven events proved that I had acted appropriately. Over the last month I have not had any pain.
A second player Will Zalatoris withdraws from the 2023 Masters
As a member of an afternoon three-ball that included Matthew Fitzpatrick and Collin Morikawa the 26-year-old was slated to begin play at 1.24 local time (6.24 pm BST). Before the news was officially verified by the Masters TSNs Bob Weeks broke the story.
The specifics are yet unknown but Zalatoris has a history of injuries; he missed the end of 2022 because to two herniated disks sustained at the BMW Championship in 2018. He discussed the source of his problems and the modifications he had to make before the first men’s Major of the year.
In reality poor mobility in the right ankle was the problem according to Zalatoris. “My right hip went high and leaned back because I didn’t push off my right side quickly enough and because I play quite dynamically with some side bend.
Actually I had a text message from my back doctor this morning saying “Hey enjoy this week because this was the purpose of coming back was to be back here and you’ve played seven tournaments. You’ve finished well before schedule.
“Results or no results if you had asked me to play here in October I would have said that the odds were probably 50/50 and the fact that I participated in seven tournaments proved that I made the correct decisions. Over the last month I have not had any pain.
Zalatoris was upbeat going into his third Masters tournament after finishing second on his debut in 2021 and tying for sixth the year before.
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