Former top-10 golfer confirms PGA Tour comeback after seven-month injury absence

PGA Tour winner Will Zalatoris has confirmed he will make his return from injury this December.

The 29-year-old American contended in multiple major championships and reached a career-high seventh in the world rankings before issues with his back surfaced.

Zalatoris suffered a herniated disc in 2022 shortly after winning his first PGA Tour title at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

It followed a campaign whereby he lost to Justin Thomas in a play-off at the PGA Championship and finished runner-up to Matthew Fitzpatrick at the U.S. Open. 

He initially decided to avoid surgery, trying to rehab and manage the symptoms - but it got so bad that he was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Masters on the eve of the major at Augusta National.

Zalatoris returned seven months later at the Hero World Challenge but told the PGA Tour's official website in May 2025 that he was still struggling. An MRI revealed he had not one but two herniated discs.

The golfer has now confirmed, though, that he is set for his latest comeback this December at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on the DP World Tour.

The tournament is hosted annually by nine-time major champion Gary Player.

"Hey everyone, sharing a health update," Zalatoris posted on Instagram. "This Spring, I started feeling some discomfort and instability in my back that progressively got worse.

"Following the PGA Championship, an MRI showed that I had re-herniated two discs. 

"After discussing the options with my medical team, I underwent surgery this past Friday with 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!"

Zalatoris added: "I really wanted to make sure that I'm setting myself up for the next seven, eight years, because right now at 28 years old, this is 'go time'."

PGA Tour winner makes Tiger Woods prediction

Zalatoris isn't the only golfer to have recently had surgery on his back. 

Tiger Woods confirmed on 12 October he had disc replacement surgery. 

It is the latest setback of his illustrious career and there is speculation as to whether he has played his final professional event. 

Our Andy Roberts believes the 15-time major champ should call it a day at the 2027 Open. 

Woods has not outlined a timeline for a return but has confirmed he will observe every Jupiter Links TGL match in the forthcoming season. 

Multiple PGA Tour winner turned on-course reporter Johnson Wagner has made the grim prediction that Woods will never play in a major championship. 

"He's always been a guy who has said he won't be a ceremonial golfer," Wagner said. 

"I just don't see a world where we see him play in The Masters again - and that makes me very sad. 

"I think his body is just beaten down, and I don't think he can do it anymore."