Brooklyn, Mass. – Will Zalatoris Came back briefly, this time, thinking he had it.
After missing a 14-foot birdie in the 18th hole, it would keep him in the playoffs with the winner. Matt Fitzpatrick, Jaladoris could not help but sigh as he was awarded the silver medal for runner-up at the US Open on Sunday. He spoke to the media when screens showed him loading the Fitzpatrick trophy, and then Jalatoris walked out with a forced smile. He had to leave the stage for the champion to arrive.
“It hurts a lot, especially,” Jaladoris said, adding that he now has six to 10 results in nine big starts, including three second places. “I’m three shots away from being a player in practice – a chance to become a three-time big champion. A bounce here or there.”
The 25-year-old went into action on Sunday without a major win or PGA Tour success, but with great confidence. He said on Saturday that he had recently finished second in the playoffs Justin Thomas This year’s PGA Championship gave him the confidence that he could be one of the best players in the world. But hope could not push his bottle a few inches closer to the hole.
“Having to go about six feet, I thought I had it,” Zalatoris said of his butt. “It’s clear that I have had three runner – ups so far in my life.”
Zalatoris came to the fore with Fitzpatrick on Sunday. Jaladoris struggled early, making two bogeys in the first five holes, igniting his ever-elusive putter. He flew four of the next six holes and, at one point, took a 2-shot lead over Fitzpatrick.
“I fought like crazy,” Jaladoris said, calling his driving “horrible” during the week, and saying his hips were bothering him. The 2021 Masters runner-up’s regular issues have come up with his putter, but as he said with a smile on Sunday, his pitch was fine.
“I firmly believe that all of the Instagram idiots are going to say that this has something to do with my left wrist curve,” Zalatoris said of what he posted on the 18th. “I assure you, this has nothing to do with this.”
Jaladoris’ two costly mistakes came in the back nine. In the 12th hole, he missed the fairway and had to punch, which led to a 2-put to the bogey. On the 15th, he missed the fair again. Fitzpatrick did too, but he missed it, he had a better lie than Jalatoris who was in a difficult position. Fitzpatrick bird. Jaladoris boogie. Leading 2 then in favor of Fitzpatrick.
On the 16th of Bar-3, Zalatoris made a bird sit in the back. But when Fitzpatrick saved his erroneous drive, he found the bunker in the 18th green with a perfect iron shot, and then the pressure turned on Jalatoris, who later called Fitzpatrick’s approach shot “1 in 20”.
“I knew very well that Will was going to hit it close,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s one of the best approach players on the tour.”
Jaladoris hit it within 15 feet. Fitzpatrick put 2 in parallel so Jaladoris knew what to do. When he hit the ball and saw it bounce over the hole without letting it down, Jalatoris fell to his knees in pain. The champion was decided.
“I’m already asked, how nervous were you at putting on 18?” Jalatoris said. “It’s like I have nothing to lose, it goes in or it’s not.”
Jaladoris is confident that he has the recipe for success, even after a severe defeat. Jalatoris said he was happy to try again in less than a month, with the next major – the Open in St Andrews.
I’m not happy about finishing second, he said. “I’m obviously trying to do this. There is a level of comfort, especially now that I know I can do this. I have to wait for my turn.”
