S.F. native Zalatoris joins golf ’s young guns
Hideki Matsuyama, already wildly popular in his homeland of Japan, became a fullblown national icon with Sunday’s impressive, clinical march to victory at the Masters.
One spot lower on the leaderboard, with less international frenzy, Will Zalatoris made his own statement. He introduced himself to casual fans and stamped himself as a threat to young major champions Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.
Also worth noting in our little corner of the world: Zalatoris, 24, restored some luster to the rich history of San Franciscoborn golfers.
His family moved to Dallas when he was 9, but young Will became consumed by the game
during his time in the Bay Area. He took lessons at Mariners Point in Foster City and shadowed his dad, Rick, on abbreviated rounds at Cal Club in South San Francisco.
That’s also where an older gentleman once spotted Zalatoris on the range and showed him the proper grip. Zalatoris later came to appreciate the gracious tip from 1964 U.S. Open champion Ken Venturi.
The heritage runs deep for tour pros born in the city. Zalatoris’ secondplace finish Sunday marked the best Masters performance by a San Francisco native in 52 years, since George Archer earned the green jacket in 1969.
Johnny Miller tied for second in 1971, ’75 and ’81; Venturi took solo second in 1956 and ’60; and Bob Rosburg tied for fourth in 1955.
Donna Archer, George’s widow, remains an avid golf fan. She took notice of the skinny, blondehaired kid strolling the same storied layout her husband conquered more than a halfcentury ago.
“Very impressive,” Donna said of Zalatoris via text message. “I love his style . ... That young man knows how to play that course superbly!”
Beyond this link to Bay Area history, Sunday’s final round also produced the sense that Zalatoris (who shot 2underpar 70) and Matsuyama, 29, will become perpetual Masters contenders. They both hit the ball far and high, two prerequisites to success given Augusta’s imposing length and slick, sloped greens.
Don’t be fooled by Zalatoris’ slender frame. He’s listed at 6foot2 and 165 pounds — built like a 1iron, as one golf writer cleverly put it — but he hits the ball a country mile. Zalatoris routinely smacked tee shots 300plus yards Sunday, straight and towering and pure.
That bodes well for his longterm prospects, at Augusta National and all other venues.
Zalatoris often plays friendly practice rounds with Spieth and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (a scratch player) in the Dallas area, so they’ve had a firsthand view of his rapid rise. Spieth figured this breakthrough was coming soon, telling reporters Sunday, “I’m not surprised.”
From the outset of the final round, Zalatoris showed his firepower. He made birdie on his first two holes, momentarily trimming his deficit to one when Matsuyama opened with bogey. But Matsuyama soon settled down, expanded his lead to five strokes at the turn and weathered some shaky moments on the back nine.
Zalatoris became tentative on the greens at times, maybe aware of the history at stake. He was trying to become the fifth Masters winner under age 25, joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Spieth. He also nearly became the first Masters rookie to win since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
Most of the past four days, Zalatoris didn’t seem the least bit rattled by the potentially lofty company.
“I wanted to be on this stage for basically my entire life,” he said on the CBS telecast after Sunday’s round. “So you finally get to this moment and why shy away now? Let’s go have fun and do some damage.”
Zalatoris, bouncing around minitours only two years ago, has been doing damage on the PGA Tour for the past seven months. This was his sixth top10 finish of the 202021 season, dating to a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open in September. He also tied for seventh at Torrey Pines in January and tied for 15th at Riviera in February.
Those are two of the more demanding courses for “regular” events, another sign Zalatoris — now ranked No. 27 in the world — will be a factor in big events amid tough conditions.
These are early impressions, formed after two phone interviews and one inperson conversation at Pebble Beach in February, but Zalatoris’ manner also bodes well for his future. He’s engaging and likable, with an easygoing charisma — confident but not cocky, comfortable in his own skin, not at all intimidated by tangling with more acclaimed players.
Asked Sunday what he learned about himself and his game at Augusta National, he didn’t flinch.
“I can play with the best players in the world,” Zalatoris said. “... If I keep doing what I’m doing, I’m going to have a really good chance in the future.”
No kidding.