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!
-
'Gator Netting Is In Place' - Chevron Championship Venue Prepared For 'Safe' Winner's Jump
A tradition which began at the tournament's previous home could continue this year - if the champion is feeling brave enough...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
New Balance 997 SL Golf Shoe Review
New Balance produce some extremely stylish footwear and, in this review, Matt Cradock takes their spikeless 997 SL onto the course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Tiger Woods Finishes Last At 2024 Masters Following Highest Total Score Of Pro Career
Woods putted out for a final round 77 at Augusta to finish on +16, but the veteran still vowed to play the rest of the year's Majors
By James Nursey Published
-
Tiger Woods Impresses On Masters Day One With 23 Holes To Play On Friday
Woods played 13 holes in one-under-par on Thursday afternoon before play was called due to darkness
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
Why Is Tiger Woods Not Wearing Nike At The Masters?
At the start of 2024 Tiger Woods revealed he wouldn't be wearing Nike anymore, but why is that? We explain all here.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Tiger Woods Postponing Ryder Cup Captaincy Talks Until After The Masters
The 15-time Major winner confirmed he will hold talks with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh once he has competed at Augusta National
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Incredible Masters Record Tiger Woods Can Break At Augusta This Week
Five-time Masters champion Woods is practising at Augusta this week where he aims to make cut for a record 24th time
By James Nursey Published
-
Report: Tiger Woods To Continue With New Caddie At The Masters
Tiger Woods will reportedly stick with Lance Bennett at Augusta National, after the pair worked together at the Genesis Invitational
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Tiger Woods Has ‘Zero Mobility’ In Ankle - Close Friend Warns Before The Masters
Woods' long-time friend said that the 15-time Major champion had revealed earlier this year that his ankle "doesn't move" anymore
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout 2024
One of the most lucrative events of the season takes place at Bay Hill as Kurt Kitayama defends his title
By Mike Hall Published