Will Zalatoris got his first PGA Tour at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship in just the way you thought he would, and maybe another way you never thought he would.
Long regarded for his ball-striking, Zalatoris surprised no one in leading the field in strokes gained approach the green. But in a bit of a surprise, Zalatoris posted his best strokes gained putting of any tournament all year.
Zalatoris gained more than eight strokes on the field with his iron play with his Titleist T100 irons and Titleist Vokey Design wedges. Both of course were aided by his new 8-degree Titleist TSR3 driver. For the week Zalatoris was third in driving distance with an average of 321.2 yards, and he gained almost 10 strokes on the field from tee to green. His best might have been his shortest full swing, the Titleist Vokey Design Wedge Works 60-degree wedge from the drop area on the third and final playoff hole to edge Sepp Straka.
But it was the putter, an oversized Scotty Cameron T-11 armlock style mallet, that carried Zalatoris home to his first title since he won the TPC Colorado Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020. Zalatoris finished in the top 10 in putts per green in regulation, and his 1.88 strokes gained putting was his highest of the year and only the third time he was over +1.00 strokes gained.
None of those putts were bigger than the putts he made for saves on the 72nd, 73rd and 74th holes. After losing two heartbreaking playoffs this season, now Zalatoris is a PGA Tour winner.
golfdigest.com
