Will Zalatoris admits he found Rory McIlroy’s shot into Rae’s Creek at Augusta funny

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Will Zalatoris Has Something To Say About Rory McIlroy’s Decision At The Masters

When Rory McIlroy was getting set for his third shot into the 13th hole at last year’s Masters, it looked like he was finally on his way to a long-awaited win at Augusta National.

McIlroy had dropped just one shot through the first two holes of Amen Corner, and that gave him a strong lead heading into 13 – a great chance to pick up at least a birdie.

He chose to lay up, leaving himself an 82-yard approach. But then came the miscue – finding Rae’s Creek – one of several moments that day that caught everyone off guard.

Will Zalatoris, though, managed to find some humour in what happened.

Will Zalatoris explains why he laughed at Rory McIlroy’s shot into the water

McIlroy did go on to win, but it was far from a smooth finish. His approach shots into the two par fives on the back nine summed up just how hard he had to work for that green jacket.

The decision to lay up and still end up in Rae’s Creek baffled many, but there was more to it than just a bad swing. The setup and conditions played their part, and not everyone found it as surprising as it looked on TV.

Zalatoris, speaking on Fried Egg Golf, offered some insight into why he understood what happened.

“So when Rory hit the wedge on 13 when he won this year, and he hit it in the water, I didn’t want to say I could see that happening because that just sounds like such a j—–s comment to say, but I’ve done that. I’ve totally done that,” he said.

“I know that feeling where the ball just glances off the face, and I’m like, oh no, that’s short and right. I was just laughing watching that because all of us are feeling for him in that moment. I have literally done that on that exact hole.”

Will Zalatoris’ strong start at Augusta makes his view worth noting

Zalatoris’ perspective holds weight, given his early success at Augusta. Even if 2025 saw him miss the cut for the first time, he had always finished inside the top 10 before that.

He was runner-up to Hideki Matsuyama in 2021, followed by a tie for sixth the next year. In 2024, he managed another solid result with a tie for ninth.

So when he backs McIlroy over what happened on the 13th hole, it’s clear there was more to it than just the pressure of the moment.