From his first shot on Thursday through his final putt on Sunday afternoon, young rookie Sahith Theegala—playing on a sponsor’s exemption in last week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale—demonstrated his worthiness to be on the big stage with some of the world’s best golfers.
No “newbie” to high-level, competitive golf, Theegala brings a storied and successful amateur career to the professional ranks. A three-time NCAA All-American at Pepperdine University, including numerous amateur wins, Theegala became only the fifth person ever to win the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award, and the Jack Nicklaus Award in the same calendar year. Theegala turned pro in June 2020 at the Outlaw Tour’s Lone Tree Classic where he tied for third place. After securing his PGA Tour card for the 2021–22 season, Theegala got his first top-10 finish on the PGA Tour at the Sanderson Farms Championship in October 2021.
Theegala’s third-place finish at last week’s WM Phoenix Open also vaulted this future star into the “Public winner’s circle“. His pleasant and balanced demeanor during four days of intense, high-level golf gained the approval and support of thousands of on-course fans and those across the airwaves. On hole #two at TPC Scottsdale, with the first PGA Tour win on the line, Theegala showed the value of fan support by stopping for a moment to allow high fives and a selfie—a final day gesture unheard of when in contention for one’s first PGA Tour win.
And THAT’S how you become a winner—no matter your final placement on a tournament’s leaderboard.
