“Zalatoris Returns to Ace Form: Scores Hole-in-One at Genesis Invitational” Watch the Reaction.
Four years ago, Will Zalatoris was riding high on a wave of success, swimming in holes-in-one with a remarkable tally of five. But then, as quickly as it came, the magic seemed to vanish, leaving Zalatoris and his trusty clubs feeling parched. It was a dry spell that even prompted the pro to offer a…
Four years ago, Will Zalatoris was riding high on a wave of success, swimming in holes-in-one with a remarkable tally of five. But then, as quickly as it came, the magic seemed to vanish, leaving Zalatoris and his trusty clubs feeling parched. It was a dry spell that even prompted the pro to offer a heartfelt apology to his loyal caddie, Joel Stock.
But amidst the drought, Zalatoris made a promise: the aces would return. And on that faithful day at the Genesis Invitational, he delivered on his word.
“I was like, I’m going to make one sooner or later,” Zalatoris recounted with determination.
🚨 ACE ALERT 🚨
@WillZalatoris cards a 1️⃣ on Riviera's 184-yard par 3 14th hole @TheGenesisInv!(Presented by @CocaCola) pic.twitter.com/SEZUWMEBaC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 16, 2024
And make one he did. During the second round of the prestigious tournament at the iconic Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Zalatoris etched a glorious “1” onto his scorecard after masterfully navigating the 184-yard, par-3 14th hole.
The shot was a thing of beauty—a perfectly struck 7-iron that started its journey a tad to the right before gracefully bending back left and settling just beyond the left greenside bunker, delicately finding its home in the center of the hole. As the ball bounced and rolled its way to glory, Zalatoris’s faithful caddie, Stock, couldn’t help but marvel at its trajectory from the tee.
With jubilation in the air, Zalatoris raised his arms in triumph before sprinting over to Stock, who stood eagerly awaiting his arrival left of the tee. A moment of pure joy ensued as Zalatoris leaped into Stock’s arms, his elation evident despite his ongoing battle with a back injury. Stock, ever the supportive companion, lifted Zalatoris high before carefully setting him back down, allowing the pair to bask in the adulation of the crowd.
“When the crowd went crazy,” Stock recounted, “we went crazy, too.”
Indeed, amidst the cheers and applause, Zalatoris and Stock found themselves united in celebration, a testament to their unwavering bond and Zalatoris’s triumphant return to form.
