‘This Is a Bummer’: Golf World Divided as Mysterious Reason Forces PGA Tour Winner to Exit Hometown PGA Tour Event

For the 28-year-old Rookie of the Year in 2021, thanks to his second-place finish at the Masters in his first appearance, the greens seemed conquerable. Will Zalatoris appeared to carry the hopes of golf fans during the 2022 season, finishing in the top 10 nine times, which included two second-place finishes at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, along with his first win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. However, currently struggling on the greens, the American golfer is facing another setback at the upcoming CJ Cup at Byron Nelson. Yes, you read that right, and fans have plenty to say about this situation.

According to the latest reports from the PGA Tour event, Will Zalatoris’s unfortunate start to the 2025 season continues after the Dallas native was announced as a late withdrawal from his hometown event on Wednesday. While there are no explanations provided for Zalatoris’s withdrawal from the Dallas event, he will be replaced by James Hahn.

Considering the gravity of the situation, the PGA Tour Communications’ official X handle updated the fans about the situation, however, there was once again a lack of information (and explanation). The official handle announced: “Will Zalatoris is a WD from THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson and replaced by James Hahn.”  And the fans are not amused, including “Teeing up” podcast host, Jeremy Schiling, who replied, “This is a bummer.” And indeed it is, for more than one reason.

Will Zalatoris is a WD from THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson and replaced by James Hahn.

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 30, 2025

This is a developing story…