Zalatoris has his chance for a major
BROOKLINE, Mass. — He’s been ready for this, and so has golf. Will Zalatoris has the game — he already finished second in two majors.
Now all he needs is the victory and the nickname.
Like “the Big Z” or maybe “the Z Man.”
In another day, you may be able to call him something more elegant: U.S. Open champion.
But let’s not rush the issue. After all, early on Saturday, it looked as if the guy holding the third round lead of this U.S. Open would be Scottie Scheffler.
Wasn’t Scheffler two strokes ahead after 10 holes? Wasn’t Scheffler leading the season-long Fed-Ex Cup standings?
Ah, but golf can be the meanest of games.
Especially on a day when the wind off the Atlantic is gusting, and when one swing can cost too many shots and a lifetime of agony.
Scheffler double-bogied 11. Then bogied 12.Then bogied 13. Then bogied 14.
He went from minus 6 to minus 1, and even if he would birdie 17 and shoot 71, he would tumble to a tie for third at 208, two strokes behind Zalatoris (67) and Mathew Fitzpatrick (68). Defending champ Jon Rahm double-boogied 18 for 71 and 207.
Yes, anything can happen at anytime, especially when the weather is nasty and the rough at the famed Country Club is deep and heavy.
Zalatoris has avoided any real mishaps through three rounds. He showed up confident and prepared, and why not after a second place in the recent PGA Championship at Southern Hills and a second in the 2021 Masters?
“On top of the belief that I belong in the situations,” said Zalatoris, “when I’m off, I’m not that far off.”
Zalatoris, 25, was born in San Francisco and started golf in the Bay Area, even getting a few bits of advice from the late Ken Venturi, who won the 1964 U.S. Open.
Zalatoris’s father, an architect, was spending so much time flying to work in Dallas he chose to move the family to Texas. It was there he played in junior tournaments with Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.
After a year at Wake Forest, Zalatoris turned pro and following a brief stay on the Korn Ferry Tour qualified for the PGA Tour. He’s always had the “sky’s the limit” attitude, in effect asking “Why not me?”
He didn’t have to ask why Scheffler had problems on the back nine. Zalatoris knew.
“That wind was brutal,” confirmed Zalatoris. “But when I made a mistake I was on the far side of the green or having room where maybe I could at least chip one up. When I played here during the (U.S. Amateur) in 2013, I thought it was the hardest course I’ve ever played.”
And now, for what amounts to the national golfing championship, it’s even more difficult. There only have been Opens at the Country Club, in the suburbs of Boston, and as far as the egos of the golfers are concerned that’s three too many. They hate to be embarrassed.
“I think the biggest thing for me (Sunday),” said Zalatoris, understanding he’s so close to a title and yet still so far, “there are a ton of major champions on the leaderboards, and by no means is the job done.”
In a way, it is just about to start.