Will Zalatoris says what is simply ‘absurd’ about former President George W. Bush’s golf game

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Will Zalatoris is unfortunately sidelined from PGA Tour action for the foreseeable future, but he remains in high spirits off the course.

Zalatoris missed the US Open at Oakmont after undergoing back surgery, which is expected to keep him out of action until the fall.

The American went under the knife after re-herniating two discs, having missed eight months of competition after a microdiscectomy in 2023.

Zalatoris had made 11 appearances on the PGA Tour this season before undergoing surgery, making nine cuts.

His only PGA Tour win arrived at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship, but the 28-year-old has undoubtedly been prevented from contending for further success due to his unfortunate injury issues.

Will Zalatoris says what was ‘absurd’ when he played golf with George W. Bush

Still, his relatively brief career has involved some hugely impressive feats, while he has also been able to take on some big names on the course.

Reminiscing about one particular round with 43rd US President George W. Bush, Zalatoris said on the Vanity Index podcast: “He plays so fast. I mean I am literally talking 27 holes in probably 2:45 or three hours at Preston Trail.

“If the ball is in the air and falling because of gravity he is walking towards his cart. Balls are still moving and he is already in his cart going. It is just lightning. That is just how he is.

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“He loves biking, now he is 78 so he is getting a little bit older and has a bad back and bad hips and has just been biking forever.

“But as he says, playing terrible golf. But I think at his best he was definitely a single digit [handicap] but there is nobody on the planet who plays faster than him. He is a dream to go and play golf with.

“That is how I grew up with my Dad. We would go on vacation and tee off at 6:45am or 7:15am and fly around in two and a half hours.

“Bush, I think because he just has to be doing something, and he’s on, I think it’s really fascinating. But dude, it’s absurd. There is nobody on the planet who plays faster. I firmly believe that.”

How did Will Zalatoris perform on the PGA Tour before back surgery?

Bush is, of course, not the only person to have held the title of American President to enjoy taking on the sport.

John Daly once played golf with Donald Trump, with the current President now keen on improving ties between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

READ MORE: What President Trump is about to tell Mohammed bin Salman about a potential PGA Tour merger with LIV Golf

Zalatoris meanwhile will likely be desperate to get back on the course as soon as possible, but an exact return date is still unknown.

From his 11 starts this season, he has three top 25 finishes, led by his T12 at The American Express in January.