Will Zalatoris Parents

Will Zalatoris (birth name: William Patrick Zalatoris) is a professional golfer from the United States. Zalatoris has won the PGA Tour once as of January 2025 by clinching victory at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. The three-time runner-up in major championships turned professional in 2018. Zalatoris won the U.S. Junior Amateur title in 2014 along with securing the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award (2020-2021).

Will Zalatoris' parents

Will Zalatoris was born to his parents, Richard and Catherine Zalatoris, on August 16, 1996, in San Francisco, California. Zalatoris was raised by his parents in Dallas, Texas as the family moved there as reported by the PGA Tour.com in 2020.

“They did everything for me, and honestly, it makes me emotional writing it down. I’d say they sacrificed their lives so that I could pursue my dream, but my mom—a former track-and-field athlete and competitive person herself—would probably close the computer and call me right away. Because in my parents’ view, this was a choice. A choice that’s allowed me to be sitting here writing this article,” Will wrote in a Golfdigest article, talking about his parents and their contribution to his professional career.

Who is Will Zalatoris' mother?

As per Golf Monthly, Catherine Zalatoris was a track-and-field athlete at the University of Oregon. Zalatoris told Golf Digest in 2021 that his mother inspired his competitive drive and has also given him advice over the years.

He said, “My mom ran track at Oregon, middle distance, the 400 and 800. They’re brutal races. You’re sprinting as long as humanly possible. “She always said to me: ‘Don’t force anything early.’ She doesn’t play much golf, but she gets the mentality". Will thanked his mother for her sacrifices by sharing a photo on Mother's Day on Instagram in 2020.

Who is Will Zalatoris' father?

According to Golf Monthly, Richard Zalatoris filled in as a U.S. military pilot for almost 35 years and was also a golf player. Will's family has a strong aviation background, with his grandfather and uncles also working as pilots. During a 2020 Q&A session with the PGA Tour, Will Zalatoris discussed his dad's professional life and credited him for allowing him the opportunity to pursue golf. However, Richard never attended his golf lessons, as mentioned by Golf Digest.

Will shared with PGATour.com a fond memory from his experience growing up: “On Saturdays, my dad would play 18 holes with his friends while my mom and I stayed at home. She’d take me to the gym to play with other kids. Later, I’d join my dad for a short route – playing Nos. 1, 2, 3, hitting drives on No. 4, then finishing on No. 9. Afterward, we’d grab Orange Julius milkshakes and head home. That’s how I was introduced to golf.”

Richard has played golf at Augusta Public, and ahead of the 2021 Masters, Will shared a piece of advice his father gave him with Golf.com: “Every day when I cross the bridge on 12, I look back. My dad, who’s played here twice, told me, ‘Look back and enjoy it because it’s a view you don’t often see. Reflect on how amazing it is to be here, especially at the Masters.’”

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What nationality are Will Zalatoris' parents?

Richard and Catherine Zalatoris are American citizens.