World No. 8 Will Zalatoris FORCED OUT of The Masters

Will Zalatoris was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Masters at Augusta National before even hitting his first tee shot.

06 Apr 2023

World No. 8 Will Zalatoris FORCED OUT of The Masters

Will Zalatoris became the second player to withdraw from the 2023 Masters through injury.

LIV Golf's Kevin Na could only manage nine holes before he was forced to call it a day after suffering a bout of illness.

Na looked thoroughly miserable as he forlornly trudged around Augusta National on Masters Thursday.

As for Zalatoris, he couldn't even manage a single hole - withdrawing before even striking a single shot in the first major of the year.

The young, buccaneering American - who is ranked No. 8 in the OWGR - was scheduled to play his opening round alongside England's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Collin Morikawa.

The 26-year-old has had an unfortunate spell with injuries in recent months. Primarily, to do with issues with his back.

He was forced to withdraw during the FedEx Cup Playoffs shortly after claiming his maiden victory on the North American circuit at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

It was later confirmed that he had suffered two herniated discs.

He spent the off-season relaxing, rehabbing and marrying his long-time girlfriend Caitlin Sellers, who caddied for the golfer at the Masters Par 3 Contest on Wednesday.

When he returned from injury he posted a T-4 finish at the Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods. He also withdrew from the WGC Match Play, though that was because of a stomach virus.

At the beginning of the week, Zalatoris appeared to suggest his injury troubles were behind him, by saying:

"It's taken its sweet time to get the full swing to come back, but I think really the last couple weeks we finally have seen some progress."

He added:

"The genesis of it was actually bad right ankle mobility.

"Because of me not pushing off my right side soon enough and being a very kind of dynamic player with some side bend, my right hip got high and tilt back.

"We've been trying to get me actually to stand closer to the golf ball, so that makes me create space with the ball so I can turn more horizontal as opposed to lateral. It's been good."

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