Will Zalatoris to Undergo Third Back Surgery, Miss 2027 PGA Tour Season

Will Zalatoris will undergo spinal fusion surgery in late November 2026, a move that will sideline him for the entire 2027 PGA Tour season. The decision follows a localized reinjury of his back during the Valero Texas Open in April 2026, an event that effectively derailed a season in which he managed to compete in only four tournaments.

Zalatoris plans to make one final appearance before the procedure, competing in the Austin Championship from Nov. 12-15. Following that event, the focus shifts to a recovery timeline that Zalatoris hopes will lead to a 2028 return to professional golf. Under the PGA Tour’s evolving structure, he aims to return via the Challenger Series, the second tier of the Tour’s new two-tiered system.

The 30-year-old plans to return to professional competition in 2028.

A Persistent Injury Cycle

The upcoming spinal fusion represents the third major back operation for Zalatoris in less than four years. His surgical history reflects a difficult struggle to maintain a consistent presence on the leaderboard after his rapid ascent to major championship contention.

The timeline of procedures includes:

April 2023: A microdiscectomy performed just as he was emerging as a top-tier contender. May 2025: An artificial disc replacement, intended to provide more flexibility than traditional fusion. November 2026: The scheduled spinal fusion, often considered a final resort for chronic spinal instability.

Zalatoris has been candid about the physical and mental toll of the recurring setbacks. Describing the period since 2023 as “four years of hell,” the 30-year-old noted the disparity between his age and his physical condition, remarking that he felt like “the oldest 30-year-old you will ever meet.”

The 2026 Setback and 2028 Outlook

While some early reports in 2026 suggested a labrum injury was the primary cause of his absence, Zalatoris clarified on Wednesday that his back remained the core issue. The injury sustained in April at the Valero Texas Open proved too significant to overcome through physical therapy alone. He also dealt with secondary ankle issues during his limited four-event run in 2026.

The choice to undergo fusion surgery is significant. While it provides stability, it can also limit the rotational mobility essential to a professional golf swing. However, the procedure has a notable precedent in the sport; Tiger Woods famously returned from a similar spinal fusion in 2017 to win the Tour Championship in 2018 and the Masters in 2019.

Zalatoris’ strategy involves a full year of rehabilitation throughout 2027. By targeting the Challenger Series for his 2028 comeback, he will have the opportunity to regain his competitive form in a tiered environment before attempting to rejoin the elite Championship Series field.

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