July 2026 Golf Injury Report: Elvis Smylie Withdraws as Will Zalatoris and Natasha Oon Eye Triumphant Returns

The modern golf swing is a violent, torque-heavy motion that places immense strain on the human body. While the sport lacks the high-speed collisions of football or hockey, the repetitive stress of generating 120-mph clubhead speeds takes a severe toll on backs, ribs, and joints.

As the 2026 summer stretch heats up and the final major championships approach, the reality of these physical demands is reshaping fields across the globe. For some rising stars, July has brought the heartbreak of forced withdrawals, while for others, it marks the light at the end of a grueling rehabilitation tunnel.

The most significant recent blow came just days before the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, when Australian standout Elvis Smylie was forced to withdraw. The 24-year-old, who competes for Ripper GC on the LIV Golf League, cited a persistent rib injury that has made competing impossible.[1][2]

"It is with great disappointment that I have to confirm that, due to a rib injury that has been causing me some discomfort, my medical team has advised me to take an extended break," Smylie announced to his supporters. The decision removes him not only from The Open but from all upcoming LIV Golf events indefinitely.[1][2]

The timing is particularly devastating for Smylie. He had earned his spot at Royal Birkdale via his performance on the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai and had opened his 2026 campaign with a career-defining victory, edging Jon Rahm to claim his first LIV Golf title in Riyadh. Now, his focus shifts entirely to rest and physical therapy to avoid aggravating the rib cartilage further.[2]

While Smylie begins his recovery journey, one of the PGA Tour's brightest young talents is finally nearing the end of his. Will Zalatoris, the 29-year-old ball-striking savant, has endured what he recently described as a "nightmare of three years" battling severe back issues.[3]

Zalatoris's troubles began in August 2022, shortly after claiming his maiden PGA Tour victory, when he suffered two herniated discs. After a microdiscectomy in 2023 failed to permanently resolve the pain, he was forced to undergo a second back surgery in May 2025 to repair the re-herniated discs.[3][6]

Now, more than a year removed from his second procedure, Zalatoris is radiating optimism. "I'm already back playing, I'm grinding every day," he recently shared while scouting a PGA Tour Champions event to glean longevity advice from veteran players. "Trying to get in at least 18 [every day]... this is the most positive I've felt in three years."[3]

The Dallas native's methodical, cautious approach to his latest rehab reflects a growing awareness among tour professionals about the dangers of rushing back from spinal procedures. Zalatoris is targeting a full, unrestricted return to the PGA Tour later in 2026, determined to reclaim the form that saw him record six top-10 finishes in major championships between 2020 and 2022.[3]

On the women's side of the game, the summer has delivered one of the most uplifting comeback stories of the year. Natasha Oon, the former San Jose State University standout, has officially returned to competitive golf after a devastating foot injury derailed her career just as it was taking off.[4]

Shortly after earning her LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season, Oon suffered a severe Sesamoid injury—a painful inflammation and fracturing of the small bones under the big toe joint. The condition made the weight transfer required in a golf swing agonizing, ultimately sidelining her for nearly two full seasons.[4]

"Your girl was in pain everywhere," Oon admitted during the darkest days of her rehab. "Honestly, during that time when I was trying to get back into the swing of things, I just felt like every day I was doing something wrong."[4]

But the grueling rehabilitation eventually paid off. Making her long-awaited return on the Epson Tour in Florida to shake off the competitive rust, Oon proved that her talent remains intact. In her very first round back, she fired a spectacular 3-under 68, carding five birdies and signaling to the golf world that she is ready to reclaim her spot on the LPGA Tour.[4]

"Your body never forgets," Oon noted after her successful return. "You're in your element, and it will come back. You just have to trust and believe in yourself."[4]

Oon is not the only LPGA veteran making strides. Canadian Olympian Alena Sharp, who bravely played through the latter half of the previous season with a torn meniscus in her left knee, has spent the first half of 2026 diligently rehabbing the joint. The 44-year-old is expected to return to full competition soon, bringing her trademark grit back to the fairways.[5]

Ultimately, the July injury landscape serves as a stark reminder of the sport's hidden attrition. While fans tune in for the Sunday drama and the hoisted trophies, the true battles are often fought in quiet physical therapy clinics and gymnasiums. For players like Smylie, the test of patience is just beginning; for Zalatoris, Oon, and Sharp, the reward for their perseverance is finally within reach.