At world No. 29, Will Zalatoris holds a higher world ranking than more than 100 of the 2021 FedExCup Playoff qualifiers. Yet if he fails to win this week at the the Wyndham Championship, his breakthrough season is over.

The former Wake Forest star has been playing all season on a Special Temporary Member exemption, so his earned money and FedExCup points do not count, officially, until he wins and becomes a full-time member.

So despite a season with eight top-10 finishes, including three in the majors, Zalatoris’ season will end if he’s not hoisting the Sam Snead Cup come Sunday evening at Sedgefield Country Club.

“Obviously this week, it’s win or go home,” said Zalatoris. “Second means as much as missing a cut.

“So I’ve got nothing to lose this week, but obviously were I not to win, I’m going to keep listening to my body, but as a backup plan, definitely looking at going to Europe.”

Despite the high stakes at hand, Zalatoris is relaxed and enjoying his time back on familiar soil.

“Yeah, you know, it was fun. Coming in Sunday night, I saw Coach Haas yesterday,” he said. “My fiance and I walked around campus. That’s where I met her, so obviously this place is near and dear to the heart.

“We came over here a little bit, but I played a junior event here so I probably logged 15, 20 rounds here.

“I love the Winston-Salem area. We went to all of our favorite restaurants yesterday throughout the day and a lot of really cool memories.

“Yeah, it will be fun.”