Zalatoris withdraws from TOUR Championship with back injury

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - AUGUST 18: Will Zalatoris of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club on August 18, 2022 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Will Zalatoris withdrew from this week's TOUR Championship with a back injury Tuesday.

The 26-year-old pulled out of the BMW Championship during the third round Saturday due to pain in his back. Zalatoris' medical team diagnosed him with two herniated discs, according to a statement Tuesday from his manager, Allen Hobbs.

Zalatoris will also no longer be a captain's pick option for the upcoming Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in September.

He was ranked No. 7 on the U.S. team standings, meaning he didn't automatically qualify to the team Sunday.

Zalatoris won't be replaced this week at East Lake Golf Club, as there are no alternates during the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He was ranked No. 3 on the FedEx Cup standings heading into the TOUR finale and would've begun the tournament at 7-under, three strokes back of Scottie Scheffler.

If all of the other players at the TOUR Championship this week complete the tournament, Zalatoris will finish the FedEx Cup ranked No. 30, meaning he will still earn $500,000 in FedEx Cup bonus money.

Despite the No. 3 seed withdrawing, starting strokes for Thursday's first round of the TOUR Championship will not be changed.

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