Will Zalatoris addresses his fans in a post about his surgery. (Photo: Getty)
Will Zalatoris, the talented 28-year-old, recently released a health update on his recurring back problems. After an intense season in which he struggled with pain and instability, he opted for surgery to improve his quality of life and athletic career. In this article, we shed light on the background to his injury and how it progressed.
Will Zalatoris has been plagued for a long time
Will Zalatoris’ back problems began back in spring 2023, which were alleviated with disc surgery. He made his comeback at the Hero World Challenge at the end of 2023. However, the symptoms worsened again over time, which led him to find a solution with his medical team this spring. After the PGA Championship, he was diagnosed with a recurrence of two herniated discs through an MRI.
“I’m happy to say that I woke up feeling good.”
After detailed discussions with his medical team, Zalatoris decided to undergo further surgery under the guidance of Dr. Michael Duffy at the Texas Back Institute. It was not an easy decision, but it was necessary for his long-term health and performance on the golf course.
Following the successful operation, Zalatoris expressed optimism about his health on his Instagram profile: “I’m happy to say that I woke up feeling good.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on his recovery as well as the support of those closest to him. “Thank you to my team, friends and family for being there for me throughout this journey.” Looking ahead, Zalatoris is looking forward to returning in the fall, both to the game of golf and to public life. “Looking forward to seeing everyone in the fall!!”
Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy at the 2023 Memorial Tournament. (Photo: Getty)
Almost the entire elite of the PGA Tour will be competing in this week’s Memorial Tournament presented by Workday in Muirfield Village. However, one particularly prominent name is missing from the list of participants: Rory McIlroy has opted out of the signature event organized by Jack Nicklaus. The tournament host is surprised that McIlroy did not inform him in advance, but does not hold it against the Northern Irishman.
Jack Nicklaus: “It’s just his call”
Rory McIlroy recently realigned his tournament calendar: Less focus on the USA, but more starts at national Open tournaments around the globe. As he has committed to the Canadian Open next week, followed by the US Open, McIlroy is taking a break from the Memorial Tournament. It is already the third signature event of the season that he has skipped. Instead, he has played a number of tournaments with a rather weaker field of participants, giving them additional attention and is now making more international appearances.
Jack Nicklaus, host of the Memorial Tournament, self-confessed Rory fan and long-time supporter of the Northern Irishman, only found out about his withdrawal in the middle of last week. As he admitted at the pre-tournament press conference, he was a little caught off guard by the news: ““Yeah, it surprised me,” Nicklaus said. “But guys have got schedules and got things they do. And I haven’t talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It’s just his call.”
Even though Nicklaus would have been delighted to welcome McIlroy to Muirfield Village, he was understanding: “I don’t hold anything against Rory for that. He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many in a row. He likes to play the week before a U.S. Open. And so he, that’s what he’s doing. So, you know, I really don’t have a comment on it. It’s very difficult, very difficult. I mean, I’m a big Rory fan, I always have been. I’m sure that I will remain that way. I just, I was a little surprised, yes.”
Rory McIlroy spoke big words about a more global future for golf at the start of 2024 – now he is putting his money where his mouth is. His tournament calendar for 2025 looks much more international than in previous years. The Northern Irishman wants to play less in the USA and focus more on tournaments that have fallen into oblivion for many professionals, especially national Opens with a long history.
Rory McIlroy: From Oakmont to Portrush
Right at the start of the summer, the first of several national championships gets underway: Rory McIlroy plays the Canadian Open, followed by the U.S. Open in Oakmont as the third major. The Travelers Championship in Connecticut is then on the agenda before things get more international – the Scottish Open on traditional links soil, followed by the Open Championship in July. However, the tournament at Royal Portrush is closer to a home game than almost any other.
This will be followed by the hot phase of the FedEx Cup play-offs in the USA. It remains to be seen whether Rory McIlroy will play all three stages. He already hinted in advance that he might miss the first event in Memphis. After that, his focus will clearly shift back towards Europe and Asia.
Finale in Asia and Australia?
September takes McIlroy to the Irish Open at the K Club – another building block in his “National Open” strategy. The flagship event of the DP World Tour, the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, follows immediately afterwards. After that, he will probably be part of the European Ryder Cup team. And then comes a special highlight: McIlroy’s first participation in the DP World India Championship in New Delhi – a completely new tournament that will be held for the first time in 2025.
The DP World Tour Playoffs will follow in November and December – and then another National Open date: the Australian Open at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Rory McIlroy returns to a place where he has not played for over a decade – this time with a two-year contract in his pocket. The tournaments in India and Australia are part of the “Back 9” phase of the DP World Tour and lead directly to the final in Dubai, which McIlroy also plans to play in.
Rory McIlroy’s schedule moving forward: National Open National Open (Oakmont 😉) Travelers National Open (His national) Open Championship FedEx Playoffs National Open (Irish) DPWT Flagship Ryder Cup India Championship (brand new) DPWT Playoffs National Open (Aussie) — Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 21, 2025
It's been a year since Scheffler's arrest at the 2024 PGA Championship (Photo: Getty)
It was one of the most surreal scenes in golf history. On May 17, 2024, just before the start of the second round of the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, world number one Scottie Scheffler was arrested – in front of live cameras and stunned onlookers.
PGA Championship Chaos: Scottie Scheffler in Handcuffs
The day began with tragedy. Early in the morning, a tournament worker was struck and killed by a shuttle bus while crossing the road outside Valhalla Golf Club. Police sealed off the main entrance to the course, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Scheffler, en route to the course in an official PGA Tour vehicle, approached one of the blocked entrances. In the resulting confusion, a police officer attempted to stop his car. The situation escalated rapidly: Scheffler was pulled from the vehicle, handcuffed, and temporarily taken into custody.
An ESPN reporter captured the moment live. Images of Scheffler – in training clothes, clearly shocked, and in handcuffs – spread rapidly across social media and dominated global headlines.
Scheffler was released the same morning and returned to the course shortly thereafter. In a brief statement, he called the incident a misunderstanding and emphasized that he never intended to endanger anyone. He expressed his respect for law enforcement and declined to comment further.
“To be honest, I’m having a hard time processing it all. My adrenaline was high. I was shocked and saddened by what happened this morning,” Scheffler told ESPN after finishing his round.
Despite the dramatic events, the second round went ahead with a delay. Scheffler shot a remarkable 66 and remained in contention for the title.
Charges Dropped: No Consequences for World No. 1
Roughly two weeks later, all charges against Scheffler were dropped. During a court hearing in Jefferson County, the prosecutor requested the case be dismissed – and the judge agreed. “Mr. Scheffler’s statement that this was a big misunderstanding is supported by the evidence,” said prosecutor Mike O’Connell, according to ESPN. The golfer’s actions did “not satisfy the elements of a criminal offense.”
One year on, Scottie Scheffler is back at the PGA Championship, this time without any off-course drama. He tees off alongside Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele – a true marquee group. Their first round begins Thursday at 2:22 p.m., followed by their second round on Friday at 5:47 p.m. (CET). So far, it’s all about golf.
Bryson DeChambeau Leads LIV Charge at PGA Championship as McKibbin, Puig Join Elite Quail Hollow Field (Photo: Getty)
The PGA Championship 2025 promises one of the strongest fields of the year and now two more LIV Golf players have joined. Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin and Spain’s David Puig have received late invitations to the major at Quail Hollow, increasing LIV’s presence amid ongoing debates about world ranking points and qualification criteria.
PGA Championship: Golf’s Deepest Major Field?
The PGA Championship is renowned for its inclusivity. While the Masters maintains strict entry limits, the PGA of America traditionally invites nearly all top-100 players, unless they qualify otherwise. Since LIV events offer no world ranking points, stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka rely on past major wins or special exemptions. Others, such as Joaquín Niemann, depend on invitations despite consistent LIV performances.
Tom McKibbin: Northern Ireland’s Rising LIV Star
Tom McKibbin could have played on the PGA Tour after securing his card via a strong 18th-place finish in the 2024 DP World Tour Race to Dubai. Despite warnings from Rory McIlroy, the 22-year-old joined LIV Golf, where he now plays for Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII.
Currently ranked 115th in the world, which is too low for automatic PGA Championship qualification, McKibbin’s steady LIV performances, including a team win in LIV’s season opener in Saudi Arabia, convinced the PGA of America to extend an invite. Legion XIII confirmed his participation via social media on Tuesday.
David Puig: Spain’s Bold College-to-LIV Prospect
David Puig jumped straight from college to LIV Golf. The 23-year-old sits 20th in LIV’s individual standings and recently impressed with a T4 at the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour.
Yet Puig’s world ranking slipped to 107th, typically insufficient for PGA Championship entry. Like McKibbin, he earned a late invitation, a golden opportunity to compete against golf’s elite and chase crucial ranking points.
LIV Stars at the PGA Championship
Beyond McKibbin and Puig, marquee LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith will tee off at Quail Hollow. These major champions remain world-class despite LIV’s ranking-points drought.
The PGA Championship highlights LIV players’ qualification hurdles. Without ranking points on their tour, majors and sporadic DP World/Asian Tour starts are their only paths to climb the standings.
Niemann secured a U.S. Open spot via LIV’s performance, aided by a new rule granting starts to three top unqualified LIV players. For McKibbin and Puig, Quail Hollow offers a critical opportunity to play their way up the rankings.
The tee times for the Truist Championship have been set. When will McIlroy and Co. tee off? (Photo: Getty)
The Truist Championship, part of the PGA Tour, takes place at The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. With a par of 70, the event offers a $20 million prize pool. Reigning champion Rory McIlroy will defend his title.
PGA Tour Tee Times for UK Players at Truist Championship
Robert MacIntyre, hailing from Scotland, will join the field for the Truist Championship. MacIntyre begins Round 1 on Thursday at 11:20 AM alongside Davis Thompson from the USA and Denny McCarthy, also of the USA. For Round 2 on Friday, this group will tee off at 12:26 PM.
Aaron Rai, representing England, will start his Truist Championship campaign on Thursday at 11:53 AM. He partners with Austin Eckroat from the USA and Will Zalatoris, also of the USA. In the second round, Rai and his fellow players have a start time of 12:59 PM.
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, the defending champion, is set to play in the company of Tommy Fleetwood from England and Justin Thomas from the USA. Their first-round tee time is 12:26 PM on Thursday, while for the second round, they will commence at 11:20 AM on Friday.
Justin Rose, another English golfer, shares his tee time with Shane Lowry from Ireland and Keegan Bradley from the USA. They begin Round 1 at 12:26 PM on Thursday and their second-round start is set for 11:20 AM on Friday.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, representing England, will tackle the first round at 12:59 PM. Alongside him are Thomas Detry from Belgium and Christiaan Bezuidenhout from South Africa. On Friday, Round 2 for this group is scheduled to begin at 11:53 AM.
Player Name
Nationality
Round
Tee Time
Flight Partner
Robert MacIntyre
Scotland
1
11:20 AM
Davis Thompson, USA; Denny McCarthy, USA
Aaron Rai
England
1
11:53 AM
Austin Eckroat, USA; Will Zalatoris, USA
Rory McIlroy
Northern Ireland
1
12:26 PM
Tommy Fleetwood, England; Justin Thomas, USA
Justin Rose
England
1
12:26 PM
Shane Lowry, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, USA
Matthew Fitzpatrick
England
1
12:59 PM
Thomas Detry, Belgium; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa
Robert MacIntyre
Scotland
2
12:26 PM
Davis Thompson, USA; Denny McCarthy, USA
Aaron Rai
England
2
12:59 PM
Austin Eckroat, USA; Will Zalatoris, USA
Rory McIlroy
Northern Ireland
2
11:20 AM
Tommy Fleetwood, England; Justin Thomas, USA
Justin Rose
England
2
11:20 AM
Shane Lowry, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, USA
Matthew Fitzpatrick
England
2
11:53 AM
Thomas Detry, Belgium; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa
PGA Tour Tee Times: Jordan Spieth in Texas. (Photo: Getty)
The PGA Tour heads to McKinney, Texas, this week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, hosted at TPC Craig Ranch. With a Par-71 layout and nearly $10 million in prize money, the stage is set for a packed leaderboard and plenty of scoring. Local favorite Jordan Spieth, comeback stories like Will Zalatoris and Gary Woodland, and emerging contenders like Jake Knapp and Karl Vilips headline the PGA Tour Tee Times.
The PGA Tour Tee Times
Scotland’s Martin Laird is back in the field this week at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and will open his tournament alongside American Beau Hossler and Germany’s Matti Schmid. Their first round gets underway Thursday at 1:17 PM local time off the 10th tee. The trio returns for Friday’s second round at 12:00 PM from the same tee.
For Jordan Spieth, this week is more than just another start — it’s a home game. The Dallas native begins his campaign Thursday at 12:33 PM off the 1st tee, grouped with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim. It’s one of the featured groups of the day and promises early leaderboard movement. On Friday, they flip to Tee 10 at 7:23 AM
Will Zalatoris continues his steady return to full competition after a long injury layoff. He’s paired with Ben Griffin, fresh off a breakthrough win at last week’s Zurich Classic team event, and Byeong Hun An. They tee off Thursday at 7:23 AM from Tee 10, with a Friday turnaround to Tee 1 at 12:33 PM.
Jake Knapp has already made noise this season with a maiden PGA Tour win and enters the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with rising expectations. He tees off Thursday at 12:55 PM from Tee 1 in a group that includes Brian Campbell and Sam Burns — the latter a proven closer on tour. Knapp’s second round begins Friday at 7:45 AM from Tee 10.
The British Open at Royal Portrush expects record breaking crowd. (Photo: Getty)
Royal Portrush is set to make history once again. The R&A announced that it expects a staggering 278,000 fans to descend on the famed links this July for the 153rd Open Championship — a figure that would make it one of the most attended Opens of all time.
The turnout will mark the largest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with an estimated economic impact of £213 million. Ticket demand has been unprecedented, with over one million applications submitted. Only the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022 — which drew 290,000 spectators — has attracted a larger crowd.
Lowry and McIlroy Set for Homecoming Battle
Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019, when Shane Lowry thrilled the home crowds with a commanding six-shot victory, drawing a then-record 237,750 fans over four days. Six years later, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as Lowry prepares for a potential showdown with fellow fan favorite Rory McIlroy — fresh off his long-awaited Masters triumph and the favorite to capture more major glory in 2025.
New family home for the McIlroy Family. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy’s life, both on and off the course, has long been a source of fascination for the sporting world. His victories, setbacks, outspoken nature, and commitment to the game consistently draw the spotlight. Recent weeks have been no different, as media attention intensified following McIlroy’s appearance at the Masters — not just for his performance, but for his movements beyond Augusta’s fairways.
One stop on McIlroy’s post-Masters itinerary brought him home to Northern Ireland, where he reunited with his parents, Rosie and Gerry, in Holywood. The visit served as a celebration, compensating for their absence at Augusta as they prepared for a relocation of their own.
McIlroy Lays New Foundations at Wentworth Estate
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, construction is well underway on a significant new project for the McIlroy family: a home in England’s prestigious Wentworth Estate, just outside London. The development, situated near the storied Wentworth Club — host venue for the BMW PGA Championship — signals a new chapter for McIlroy, his wife Erica Stoll, and their young daughter, Poppy. Reports suggest the move was motivated in part by a desire for a fresh start for the couple.
“It’s not every day you get to fulfil one of your lifelong goals and dreams,” McIlroy reflected during the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. “We first went to London with Erica and Poppy to see our new home that we’re building and we made the trip over to Belfast to see a few other people that are important to us. Just to be with them, to be with Erica and Poppy and my mum and dad.”
Suspended over a LIV-linked event, Wesley Bryan addresses fans directly on YouTube—with reflection, respect, and resolve. (Photo: Youtube@Bryan Bros Golf)
For most of his career, Wesley Bryan has been as comfortable in front of a camera as he is over a wedge shot. Trick shots, Tour wins, YouTube content — he’s built a name straddling the line between entertainer and elite athlete. But now, the PGA Tour veteran finds himself at the center of a different kind of story: one where the future of golf collides head-on with its rules of the past.
The PGA Tour suspended Bryan following his appearance at “The Duels: Miami,” a LIV Golf-adjacent creator event. The response? A 3-minute YouTube video, shot from a golf cart, layered with gratitude, introspection, and an unmistakable undercurrent of defiance.
“It’s Been an Emotional Rollercoaster”
In the video, Bryan isn’t teeing off or goofing around with influencers. He’s seated quietly in a golf cart, speaking directly to his audience — not as a content creator, not as a PGA Tour player, but as someone genuinely trying to make sense of where golf is headed.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” he admits early in the video. The PGA Tour had suspended him for playing in an event connected to LIV — without securing a mandatory release. But instead of firing back, Bryan starts with something unexpected: gratitude.
He thanks the Tour. For the tournaments. For the platform. For the eight years of opportunities. It’s a tone that’s disarming — reflective rather than reactive. There’s no hint of rage. Only a desire to explain.
YouTube, LIV, and a Grey Area in the Rulebook
To understand the controversy, it helps to understand the event. “The Duels: Miami” wasn’t a traditional tournament. It wasn’t sanctioned, it wasn’t ranked, and it wasn’t played for a seven-figure purse. It was a content shoot — part challenge, part entertainment — streamed on YouTube, not broadcast on national television.
Bryan played alongside YouTubers and major champions alike, all of it captured on Grant Horvat’s channel. The problem? The PGA Tour’s policy requires players to seek permission before appearing in non-Tour events, particularly those linked to LIV Golf. Bryan didn’t — because, as he sees it, it wasn’t a competitive event at all.
For Bryan, YouTube isn’t a hobby. It’s a career lane that has grown up alongside his Tour life — one he’s cultivated for over a decade. It’s also part of a larger shift in golf, where Gen Z fans are just as likely to follow Grant Horvat or Rick Shiels as they are to tune into CBS on a Sunday.
“The Rule Was Not Meant To Cover Content Creation On Youtube”
Bryan makes it clear: this isn’t about defiance. It’s about definitions. He respects the PGA Tour, and he’s not looking to blow up the rulebook — but he is questioning whether the rules have kept up with the game.
“I want to be clear. I do respect the authorities that are in place at the tour, but because of the ambiguity and the rules and regulations that were written I do, a as a member of the PGA Tour, have a right to appeal their decision,” he says. “I don’t feel like when the rule was written, that it was meant to cover content creation on YouTube, I feel like it was meant to cover organized professional high-level golf events. And with that being said, I plan on carrying out my right to appeal.”
So, he’s appealing. Not to win an argument, but to seek clarity — for himself, for other content creators in golf, and for the next generation of players who might find themselves walking the same line between entertainment and elite sport.
What happens next will likely be decided behind closed doors. But the bigger question — how golf defines itself in the digital age — is one that’s far from settled.
