For the third time in his career, Will Zalatoris placed second in a major. It was :54.
He thought he had it after coming up short again.
The silver medal for runner-up at the U.S. Open was given to Zalatoris after he missed a 14-foot putt on the 18th hole. While screens showed Fitzpatrick hoisting the trophy, Zalatoris walked off with a smile. The champion had to leave the stage.
Zalatoris has six top 10 finishes in nine major starts, including three second-place finishes. It's three shots away from being a three-time major champion. There's a bounce here or there.
With a lot of confidence, the 25-year-old went into Sunday's action without a win or a victory. He thought he could be one of the best players in the world after his second-place finish in the PGA Championship. He couldn't push his putt close to the hole.
Zalatoris thought he had it with about six feet to go. Obviously it hurts. I've had three runner-ups in majors.
The two men were tied for the lead going into Sunday. Zalatoris made two bogeys on the first five holes before his putter caught fire. At one point, he held a two-shot lead over Fitzpatrick.
Zalatoris said that he battled like crazy and that his hip was bothering him. As he said with a smile on Sunday, his putting was just fine, despite his usual problems with the putter.
The putt on 18 may have something to do with Zalatoris' left wrist coming down. It has nothing to do with it.
Two costly mistakes were made on the back nine. He missed the fairway on the 12th and made a bogey. He missed the fairway on the fifteenth. Fitzpatrick had a better lie than Zalatoris because he missed it so far. Fitzpatrick was able to make a shot. Zalatoris made a bogey The lead was for Fitzpatrick.
Zalatoris made a shot on the par 3 16th. Fitzpatrick's approach shot into the 18th green was called "1 in 20" by Zalatoris after Fitzpatrick saved his drive.
Fitzpatrick said he knew Will would hit it. He is one of the best approach players.
Zalatoris hit it close to the ground. Zalatoris knew what he had to do after Fitzpatrick 2-putted. Zalatoris dropped to his knees in pain as he watched the ball trickle past the hole. The decision was made.
How nervous were you when you put the ball in the basket? Zalatoris made a statement. I have nothing to lose. Either it goes in or not.
Zalatoris said he has the recipe to win after the loss. With less than a month until the next major, Zalatoris is glad he will be able to try again.
He wasn't happy with his second place finish. I'm trying to get it. Even though I know I can do this, the comfort level is still there. I have to continue to wait.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
