ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — On the surface, you might think this is getting a bit old for Will Zalatoris, who’s putting together an impressive record in major championships without crossing the line as the winner yet.
The 25-year-old Zalatoris has played in eight major championships and finished in the top-8 six times with three runner-up results. The most recent runner-up came at the U.S. Open last month at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., where Matt Fitzpatrick won. Before that, Zalatoris lost to Justin Thomas in a playoff at the PGA Championship in May at Southern Hills.
“Of course, I want to win one, but the part I also have to remind myself is we’re sitting here talking about me not winning a major and I’ve been on the PGA Tour for 20 months,’’ Zalatoris said Tuesday, displaying proper perspective. “It’s a pretty good spot to be in. I haven’t even played double-digit majors yet. For me, let’s just keep growing on this experience.’’
Incredibly, for as well as Zalatoris has played, he’s still seeking his first win on the PGA Tour.
“I’m obviously playing some nice golf,’’ he said. “I keep telling myself this — let that first [win] get in the way and if it happens to be a major, it happens to be a major. Obviously, I’ve had a nice run in the majors, but the excitement level this week is obviously off the charts. I’ve obviously been very close, specifically in the last two majors. But game’s in a great place and in a great head space. This is a lot of fun.’’
Zalatoris was asked what the Sunday nights are like for him after the close calls without winning.
“It’s funny, I don’t sleep that great Sunday nights,’’ he said. “Saturdays I sleep great going into the tournament. Sunday nights, in particular, I’m pretty much up till probably 4 or 5 [a.m.] It’s not that I’m sitting there stewing, it’s just trying to come down from the adrenaline.
“While I’m playing it, I don’t feel it. When I was in those last couple holes against Matt or even in the playoff with Justin, I don’t feel that big of an adrenaline push. Obviously, I want to win. I’m as focused as I possibly can be, but it’s the coming down for me that’s hard.
“Majors feel like two weeks just by themselves, but when you’re in contention, they feel like they’re three weeks in themselves. It typically takes me until about Wednesday or Thursday until I start feeling normal. It’s something we’ve learned in our schedule is that I need to take weeks off after majors.
“Obviously if I’ve been in contention, it’s worn me out pretty hard. The PGA was a really hard one to swallow because I was that close against Matt. He went out and got it and played some great golf. I have no regrets. I don’t ever have regrets walking off the golf course, especially in majors.’’
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