2022 BMW Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Wilmington CC
How’s that for a first win? After months and months of close calls, particularly at major championships, Will Zalatoris finally got it done. And at a FedEx Cup Playoffs event, no less.
Big Z sunk a big 10-footer for par to reach a playoff with Sepp Straka last week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Zalatoris opened the tournament with a 1-over-par 71 in his first tournament with new caddie, Joel Stock. The two quickly got into a groove as they finished in 63-65-66 to storm back for the trophy.
He then survived a thrill ride of a three-hole playoff with a seven-footer to clinch it and outlast Straka with three straight pars.
He had the most top-10s (8) on the PGA Tour in 2021-22 without a win.
“Yeah, it’s kind of hard to say “about time” when it’s your second year on Tour, but about time,” Zalatoris was transcribed by Tee Scripts. “Obviously this week was kind of a grind considering the start that I had.”
The win in Memphis was the 25-year-old’s fourth straight top-30 and sixth in the last seven starts.
Per round, the Wake Forest grad leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (1.072) and is second in SG tee to green (1.797).
Zalatoris is maligned (sometimes too much) for his putting stroke and results. It’s gone from a negative strokes gained in 2020-21 to a slight gain this season and moved him up more than 20 spots in the rankings. He’s been solid with the flat stick in majors except for missing some clutch putts down the stretch.
He made the clutch putts this time. Zalatoris was 25th at the St. Jude in SG putting for the week (2.5). Finishing top-third in putting and letting his elite ball-striking do the talking will surely lead to more wins soon.
Will Zalatoris and the PGA are both winners in Memphis. dark. Next
All that talent should shine at the BMW Championship on a new, lengthy golf course like Wilmington Country Club where horses for courses don’t exist.