Two years ago, Will Zalatoris was ranked 107th in strokes gained putting on the PGA Tour, despite finishing runner-up in two majors that year.
He struggled badly with his flat stick, often jabbing the putter uncomfortably on putts within 10 feet. But somehow, he managed to stay in contention at the PGA Championship and the US Open, losing to Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick by mere inches. He also won the FedEx St. Jude Championship, defeating Sepp Straka in the playoffs that summer.
And last year, Zalatoris missed eight months after the Masters due to back surgery. But that time allowed Zalatoris to reflect and fine-tune his putts.
“I was going to be in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, so I was just waiting to see how it was,” Zalatoris said after sealing a spot in the third round at the Genesis Invitational with a 6-under 65.
“Lucas was around that time. [Glover] Tears came out. I had already ordered an armlock from him and in the end they sent me some brooms. ”
Last August, Glover won back-to-back events with a broomstick putter. And like Zalatoris, Glover struggled with his putter throughout his career.
“I had five months before I could hit a ball,” Zalatoris continued.
“I think it probably took me three or four months to figure out that blueprint just to be able to try it out. It’s very simple. Get your setup right, keep your eye on the ball, It shakes your shoulders. Simple things like this are really good.”
During that time, Zalatoris tried different head weights and lengths and tinkered with many options to find what worked best. He explained that he had some bad days and some better days based on the equipment he chose.
However, all the efforts paid off. Zalatoris’ broom-like putting at Riviera Country Club this week. So is the simplicity of his stroke.
After three rounds of the Genesis Invitational, Zalatoris ranks seventh in strokes gained putts. He heads into Sunday’s final round with a two-shot lead over leading Patrick Cantlay at 14 under par.
Many players, including Tiger Woods and Cantlay, say this is the fastest Poa Anua green on the Riviera they’ve ever seen.
They were defiant but genuine. Still, Zalatoris feels the biggest adjustment with his new stroke is getting used to faster green speeds.
“If you’re putting on a really fast green, especially a head-heavy putt, the ball is going to hit the face pretty hard,” Zalatoris said.
“I think maybe what used to be a 2-foot downhill putt might now look closer to 4 feet for comfort. And I feel more confident in my strokes. I did.”
His confidence in his putting has definitely improved in 2022 and beyond. Perhaps that growing confidence in him led to his win at Riviera, marking his second career win on the PGA Tour.
He needs to catch up with Cantlay, but if his putter remains as hot as ever, as will his new stroke, that difficult task will become much easier.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
