Tiger Woods ex-coach chips in as Will Zalatoris | Golf News

Following the latest damage setback of Will Zalatoris, Hank Haney, former coach to Tiger Woods, has hinted that the PGA Tour star may need been smart to settle for a $130 million offer from LIV Golf.

Zalatoris, a Dallas native, noticed his hopes for the 2025 Ryder Cup dashed due to damage. A recurring back problem, which led to season-ending surgical procedure two years in the past, has once again sidelined him, denying him a spot at Bethpage Black in September.

On Monday, the 28 yr previous introduced he can be out of motion until at least the autumn after present process surgical procedure for a herniated disk. This provides to his time spent on the PGA Tour sidelines since Fred Couples revealed that the American had turned down a $130M proposal to be part of the insurgent LIV Golf league 24 months in the past. LIV has just lately determined it will not be offering enormous signing bonuses for gamers extending their contracts. The likes of Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka now face unsure futures with the league. 

With Zalatoris out of motion and his probabilities to earn vital PGA prize money on maintain, Haney, who coached Woods from 2004 to 2010, recommended via social media that the Texan may need been higher off accepting the substantial offer from the Saudi-backed circuit.

In the identical yr that gamers like Jon Rahm switched to LIV, it was reported that Zalatoris declined a $130M offer. Former Masters champion Couples, who shares an agent with Zalatoris, was requested about the proposal that emerged two years in the past and counseled him for sticking to his rules.

Back in 2023, {golfing} legend Couples talked about, “Money is zero object [for LIV],” and counseled Will Zalatoris for his dedication to the PGA Tour, saying, “I give Will a lot of credit; he wants [to keep playing on] the PGA Tour.”

Zalatoris subsequently confronted a difficult period when back issues that emerged in 2022 sidelined him from the sport, sparking debate over his choice to refuse LIV Golf’s profitable offer, which might have compensated him even during damage time.

The former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year just lately made headlines after present process back surgical procedure at the Texas Back Institute, with Zalatoris optimistically stating, “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.”

Amidst considerations over Zalatoris’ recurring damage, a sympathetic fan posted on social media: “Feel bad for Will.”

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They added a poignant remark on the potential financial repercussions of his decisions: “[That] guy was talked out of a massive deal with LIV that would have set him and his future family up for a few generations. Remember, anyone who talks someone out of that kind of money doesn’t give a s— about that person.”

This sentiment, suggesting Zalatoris would possibly remorse not signing with LIV Golf, was shared by coach Haney, implying his settlement with the social media assertion and probably hinting at doubts about the golfer’s financial path.

Zalatoris had already made a identify for himself as one of the PGA Tour’s prime gamers when the LIV offer got here in. Despite only becoming a member of the circuit during the 2020-21 season, he shortly made his mark.

He impressively secured second place at the Masters in 2021 and also claimed runner-up positions at both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in 2022. Unfortunately, this latest hurdle will stop him from one other attempt at a main title this yr.