Will Zalatoris secured his place in the Open Championship at Royal Troon after finishing in a tie for fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The tournament was the fourth event in the Open Qualifying Series, which offers players opportunities around the world to qualify for golf’s original championship, with Zalatoris finishing as the leading player in the field not already exempt.
Qualifying for the last Major Championship of the year marks quite the comeback for the 27-year-old, who only returned to competitive action in December after seven months out following a microdiscectomy 48 hours after his withdrawal from last year’s Masters Tournament.
Since making his return at the Hero World Challenge three months ago, the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship winner has finished inside the top 20 in three of his six events, including a share of second at the Genesis Invitational.
“Yeah, it was a little unexpected, not really knowing kind of how the year was going to go, now being able to lock it up,” said Zalatoris following the final round at Bay Hill.
“Basically, my first four or five events of the year, to be in all four Majors is pretty special, and I'm looking forward to getting some vengeance in the Open Championship.”
The American will be hoping to build on his impressive Major results at Royal Troon in July.
He has finished runner-up in the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open, having only made eight starts combined in those three events. His best result in The Open Championship is a share of 28th in 2022.
“They’re just hard, you just can't fake your way around it,” he said of his love for Major Championships.
“You can't have a hole in your game that week and win. I think I give myself the most chances just with my ball striking and when the putter gets hot the weeks I contend and, you know, when you play on really tough greens, it only favours me.
“So, I always love hard, I embrace hard, hard golf courses, so I'm hoping for some rich Scottish weather when we get over there.
“I love it (links golf). It's so different, too, especially in a week like this where you're trying to throw balls as high as you can in the air and stop 'em fast, you got to get creative.
“I love the challenge. I love going over to the Scottish. You get a little prep before. And then obviously for The Open Championship, it's just special, no matter where it is.”
