Veteran Watney 'Wins Lucky Entry Ticket'
Zellertoris The CJ Cup Withdraws Two Days Before
Doctor Recommends Absence Due to Aftereffects of Back Surgery
Alternate Player Watney Gets Opportunity to Compete
Alternate player Nick Watney (USA) received a lucky spot to participate.
The PGA Tour announced on the 30th (local time) that "Will Zalatoris (USA) withdrew two days before the start of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson (total prize money $9.5 million)" and "he gave up participating in the tournament due to a back injury." Zalatoris, ranked 30th in the world, was scheduled to compete in the tournament held over four days from the 2nd at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71, 7,414 yards) in McKinney, Texas, but was sidelined by injury.
He grew up in Texas and still resides in Dallas. He has a special connection to this tournament, having watched it since he was nine years old. He has competed in this tournament four times so far, with his best finish being a tie for 17th place in 2021. After undergoing back surgery following the Masters in April last year, he only returned to the PGA Tour in January. Zalatoris expressed regret, saying, "The doctor advised that now is not the time to push myself but to rest."
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Due to Zalatoris's withdrawal, the spot went to alternate player Watney. He is a veteran who joined the PGA Tour in 2005 and has won five times in total. His last victory was at The Barclays in 2012. Without a full tour card, he has participated in four tournaments this year. His best result was a tie for 11th place at the Zurich Classic last month. His FedEx Cup ranking is 188th.
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