During the pandemic, Bryson DeChambeau reportedly consumed 6,000 calories daily, ate four eggs for breakfast, and drank a half-dozen protein shakes. He would also test his limits through a complex workout regimen, as he wanted to add muscle. DeChambeau hoped to become stronger, which would thus translate to generating greater swing speed and, consequently, longer drives.
DeChambeau gained 50 pounds of muscle, emerging from the doldrums of quarantine looking like a starting NFL linebacker, not a PGA Tour player. His unorthodox training habits ultimately paid off, too, as he won the U.S. Open at Winged Foot that September. He would later say that he regretted this extreme schedule, as he lost much of that weight in the years since. But he can still hit the ball a mile, proof that adding muscle worked wonders.
Will Zalatoris hopes to accomplish the same.
Ahead of this week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, Zalatoris revealed that he picked up 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. It’s not to DeChambeau’s level, but the same mantra applies. He has consumed 4,500 calories and 200 grams of protein daily, opting to work on his diet and workout schedule instead of playing.
Golf fans have always associated Zalatoris with being long and lanky, and they have also compared him to Happy Gilmore’s caddy for their similar features. But Zalatoris, not unlike DeChambeau once did and many other top players continue to do now, has bulked up during the offseason, hoping that it pays dividends in 2025.
“I have worked probably the hardest I ever have,” Zalatoris admitted.
“I absolutely busted my tail trying to get my speed back. I really got better with the broomstick, and it has been good. I haven’t played much, but that was on purpose.”
A year ago, Zalatoris returned to competitive play at the Hero World Challenge after a lengthy injury break. Just minutes before his first round at the 2023 Masters, he felt something pop in his back, and 48 hours later, he sat in a hospital bed awaiting an operation. Eight months of rehab followed, forcing Zalatoris to focus on his recovery instead of strength training.
That helps explain why his past offseason has been different.
“If you think about it, I haven’t really had an off-season, I guess, since 2019,” Zalatoris said.
“We used to have the wraparound, and then I have had two seasons rehabbing my back, so it’s kind of nice to have a year where instead of rehabbing, I am actually progressing.”
Zalatoris had a great start to his 2024 golf season, posting a pair of top-5s at Riveria and Bay Hill. He then tied for ninth at Augusta National, an impressive display of redemption considering what happened to him there the year before. But his strong play at The Masters marked his final top-10 of the season. He did not post a solid finish until the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, when he tied for 12th.
But now, he is in South Africa for the first time, feeling stronger and healthier and ready to tackle the 2025 season. Perhaps his improved strength will translate into a win or maybe even a major—like what happened with DeChambeau.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
