Will Zalatoris Urges Tiger Woods To Get A Cart Exemption
The recent first-time PGA Tour winner wants to play a round with his golfing hero before he retires
Will Zalatoris wants Tiger Woods to use a cart so he can play more golf, increasing the chances he’ll get to fulfil a dream and play with the 15-time Major winner.
The 26-year-old, who saw his own season prematurely curtailed by injury having won his first PGA Tour title at the FedEx St Jude Classic, told journalist Graham Bensinger on his ‘In Depth With Graham Bensinger’ show that it’s his ambition to play a round with Tiger before the all-time great retires from the game.
He said: “I would love to play with Tiger at least once before he’s done-done just to do it. And I know that that would be an amazing experience because even at the PGA like I played in front of him the first two days, we had more people with us because the people would come up to our group to follow us so they could get a better look when Tiger rolls through than when I was in the final group on Saturday.
“The part that amazes me is that he just has such a hard time walking but man he can still play some good golf. Tiger could get a cart if he wants to, but you know he’s never going to take it because that’s who he is. Selfishly, I’m like, dude, get in the cart, I’m going to play with you, I want to see you when you’re 50, you’ve proven people wrong countless times coming back from injuries and I'm like get in the damn cart!
“He’s just one of those guys that I never want to pry his space because I just have so much respect for how much he did even for me and he doesn’t know me. I was actually laughing at the PGA this year because he’s standing on the tee and he wasn’t playing with anybody, and I was going to play with another buddy and Tiger was standing on the tee and he said ‘Hey, do you guys wanna go’, I’m like, ‘You wanna come?’. I didn’t say it, I was like, ‘Okay yeah, Tiger tells me to go, I’m going, I got it’.
“It’s kinda fun because at the Open Championship, Tiger came by and smacked me on the backside and was like, ‘Hey, great playing Willy’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, that’s him, I know him!’"
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Jeff graduated from Leeds University in Business Studies and Media in 1996 and did a post grad in journalism at Sheffield College in 1997. His first jobs were on Slam Dunk (basketball) and Football Monthly magazines, and he's worked for the Sunday Times, Press Association and ESPN. He has faced golfing greats Sam Torrance and Sergio Garcia, but on the poker felt rather than the golf course. Jeff's favourite course played is Sandy Lane in Barbados, which went far better than when he played Matfen Hall in Northumberland, where he crashed the buggy on the way to the 1st tee!
-
Multiple-Time LPGA Tour Winner Eyes 2026 Return
After 18 months away from the game, Jessica Korda is eyeing a return to action, with the American claiming 2026 is 'what we’re shooting for'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Home Favorite Fights From Six Back To Win Alfred Dunhill Championship
The penultimate DP World Tour event of the calendar year was won by South African Shaun Norris after the 42-year-old shot 67 to triumph by one
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Watch: Tiger Woods Takes Swing At TGL Simulator
The 15-time Major winner has been filmed taking a shot at the TGL’s giant simulator ahead of the contest’s launch in January
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son Charlie
The 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Tiger Woods Coy Over PNC Championship Return
Speaking to NBC’s Dan Hicks during the final round of the Hero World Challenge, the 15-time Major winner gave a rather muted response to when his return may happen
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'A Natural Fit' - Tiger Woods Backs Keegan Bradley US Ryder Captaincy
The 15-time Major winner made his remarks during an appearance in the NBC Sports broadcasting booth in the final round of the Hero World Challenge
By Mike Hall Published
-
Hero World Challenge Final Round Tee Times
Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas will go out together in round four of the Hero World Challenge, with the latter holding a one-stroke lead...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Hero World Challenge FREE live stream: How to watch today's finale
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is paired with leader Justin Thomas going into the final round
By Patrick Fletcher Last updated
-
Hero World Challenge Prize Money Payout 2024
The unofficial PGA Tour event comes from Albany Golf Club, where 20 of the world’s best players compete for a record purse
By Mike Hall Published
-
Key Takeaways From Tiger Woods' Hero World Challenge Press Conference
The 15-time Major winner addressed the media for the first time since July ahead of hosting the Hero World Challenge
By Elliott Heath Last updated