Ten players will start The RSMs final round within two shots of the lead, and many of those players, like Rodgers and Theegala, will be looking for their first win while others, such as Martin and Andrew Putnam, will be looking to win again several years after their maiden title. Rory McIlroy has another shot at reaching No. "I think no matter what everyone feels about either tour, whatever opinions they have or thoughts they have, I think it affects everyone whether they want to admit it or not," Sahith Theegala said Wednesday at a Houston Open pre-tournament presser. There's more opportunity than ever.". FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay also was at 67 with Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Louis Oosthuizen, Charley Hoffman, Alex Noren, Bubba Watson, Stewart Cink, Kevin Kisner and Billy Horschel. Theegala thinks so. Even if the Houston Open is missing some names who would have likely been here this week if they were eligible to play, like Houston resident Patrick Reed among others, Theegala said it gives someone else a tee time who is ready for the spotlight. Meanwhile, Young and Theegala haven't made good on their quick 2022 rises in time for the Ryder Cup. It wasnt enough to win, however, as he lost in a playoff to Charles Howell III. "It's great for the players because it's making the Tour more competitive and it's better for the players now," he said. He went close last season at TPC Scottsdale at the WM Phoenix Open but ultimately finished T-3 and was reduced to tears. Theegala was tied for the lead standing on the tee of the 17th hole, the second most famous driveable par-4 on the PGA Tour. Good or bad, LIV Golf made its mark on the golf world this past year. As he exited his presser and walked outside, he fell into his parents' arms. A budding rivalry is in the works at the Zozo Championship, and it has nothing to do with golf. Lee was second after a 6-under 65. 4. Fireworks. PGA Tour player Sahith Theegala has reflected on the impact of the LIV Golf League ahead of the Cadence Bank Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course. I like playing in front of a lot of people. Copyright 1996 - That always kind of sets the tone.. In other words, the man was sticking his approaches, and that's been true all week; in 54 holes, he's got one bogey to his name. Rodgers, 30, has had to wait a bit longer, however. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Sahith Theegala may capture his first PGA TOUR title at the WM Phoenix Open on Sunday. Reeves has had a topsy turvy couple years, or, if you want, a topsy-turvy career. Sahith Theegala crashed golfs biggest party. Adam Hadwin and Harry Higgs matched Koepka, also the 2015 winner, at 66. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. After a bad bounce in the fairway, Theegala's tee shot on the drivable par-4 17th hole trickled into the water hazard. As the PGA Tours fall season begins to wind down (theres only two events left offering FedEx Cup points until 2023), talk hasnt subsided about the LIV Golf Series, as its season ended two weeks ago in Miami. He considered Theegala to be his hero. It's great for the players because it's making the tour more competitive and Tour's more competitive and it's better for the players now. The footage of Theegala accepting his PGA Tour card came up as Murli said: Sahith Theegala played at the WM Phoenix Open in 2022 on a sponsor exemption. Sahith Theegala is one round away from his first PGA Tour title in just his second start of his rookie season. LIV has made a dent in this week's Houston Open. "Yeah, I've said before, PGA Touris my focus and obviously grew up wanting to play on the PGA Tourand dreamt of all that. They dont have weather here, so this place gets concrete come Saturday, Sunday.. You kind of want to leave, said Theegala, with a good taste in your mouth.. Theegala won the Haskins Award as college golfs top player two years ago. Young checked in at three-under 67, Mito Pereira, playing in Theegala's group, shot a 67 of his own, and Kim continued his red-hot summer by doing them one better with a 66. He hit a 66-64-69 to take a one-shot lead on the final day. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. Everyone loves a winner holding a baby. Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. Sahith Theegala was a highly accomplished junior golfer. "The unfortunate thing is all the top players in the world aren't playing together anymore," Theegala said. The Houston Opens defending champion, Jason Kokrak, plays for the Greg Norman-led circuit. Svensson shot Saturdays low round, a 62, to move into contention. Not sure Ive seen a better-conditioned golf course than this one and its playing firm and fast, which kind of suits my game a little bit.. Its his sixth start of this fall season, as well. I always love the fans here, said defending champion Brooks Koepka, two strokes back after a 66. With two straight 67s after his opening 64, Theegala stands at 18 under, one shot clear of Cameron Tringale, Denny McCarthy, Sam Burns, and Cameron Young. His comments come after it was reported that the heavily LIV-linked Xander Schauffele appears to have made up he's mind about his PGA Tour future. He has a two-year exemption after qualifying for this years TOUR Championship, a well-earned reward for a successful rookie season. Of the 156 golfers competing in the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, 23-year-old Sahith Theegala obviously isnt the biggest name in the field. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Theegala shot an even-par 71 in his third round and sits at 1 under for the tournament. It's probably my best driving round of the year. Sahith Theegala of the U.S. walks from the 14th green during the first round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Theegala earned his tour card for 2021-22 with a scintillating late run on the Korn Ferry Tour, finishing T-4 at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship and solo sixth at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, and while he only managed 47th at last week's season-opening Fortinet Championship, it's clear his form remains scorching in Mississippi. It was here three years ago that he shot 61-62 on the weekend to post the lowest score in TOUR history over the final two rounds of a tournament. There's never going to be a lack of superstar power on the Tour. Wie West readies to conclude career at USWO, Tee times, groupings for Rds. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. But make. Lee tied for second last year, then went on to win the Byron Nelson three months later for his first PGA Tour title. And despite the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith now plying their trade elsewhere Theegala believes there are simply too many good golfers coming through who will fill the void. T. Pendrith -13 11:00 AM 3. Riley was the worst of the bunch, but worst in this case means he shot a respectable 69 and remains very much in the mix. However, behind his belief that the Tour is in good hands despite the rift LIV created in golf, Theegala is bullish that the players who were given a chance on Tour due to LIV defections will step up to the plate. Hes made five more starts on the KFT since then and has made the cut in each, his best finish a tie for ninth at the MGM Resorts Championship at Paiute. He had another close call earlier this fall at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, where he shot 65 in the final round to finish third, two shots behind winner Seamus Power. A year and change later, two things are true: He's ranked 454th in the world, and he's leading the Sanderson Farms Championship heading into Sunday. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Sahith Theegala crashed golf's biggest party. Theegala made one final start in 2020, missing the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Born in Orange, California, in 1997, Theegala started playing golf at a very early age and won the Junior Golf World Championships at ages six, eight, and 10. Jon Rahm is the big favorite at the Mexico Open and he's playing the part. Theegala opened with a 16-foot birdie putt on No. In his first season at Pepperdine in 2015-16, Theegala was named West Coast Conference (WCC) Freshman of the Year and a First Team All-WCC selection after arguably the best freshman season in school history, posting a scoring average of 71.06. He has finished in the top 25 in all but one of his six starts. He then went on to play four seasons on the varsity golf team at Diamond Bar High School and was an All-Sierra League first-team selection all four years, also leading his team to a league title every year. Rodgers earned that honor in 2014, as part of a career at Stanford that saw him break Tiger Woods school record for lowest scoring average (70.3) and tie Woods mark for career wins (11). He had a highly successful collegiate career at Pepperdine, winning every major award there is to win in 2020, although his final season was unfortunately cut short due to COVID-19. There were heartbreaking finishes at the WM Phoenix Open and Travelers Championship, where he was undone by drives that found trouble. Jon Rahm made an impressive charge up the leaderboard on his favorite course with a 6-under 66 at Torrey Pines to pull within two shots of leader Sam Ryder after the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open. It's just I think it's been made a little bit a bigger deal than most -- honestly, a lot of the players in my -- that I've talked to have not -- I mean, it's great for the players. Sahith Theegala made headlines earlier this week for having one of the biggest groups of family and friends in the field following his rounds at the WM . That summer, he qualified for the U.S. Open at Erin Hills but missed the cut after rounds of 77 and 75. Theegala recently moved to The Woodlands neighborhood in Texas, and that fact is more than just triviait helped him in Memphis with the Bermuda grass. "I was able to do that early and often.. But I have no problems with the other stuff going on. In the process of establishing that tight lead, things got a little weird. Theres never going to be a lack of superstar power on the Tour., https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/11/09/liv-golf-news-sahith-theegala-pga-tour-cameron-smith-dustin-johnson/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Check out rare photos of Rickie Fowler's equipment through the years, Photos: Rickie Fowler's prolific golf career and his wife Allison Stokke through the years, 2023 John Deere Classic odds, course history and picks to win, Best irons for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play 2023: State-by-state rankings for public-access layouts, Best golf drivers for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, 2023 U.S. Women's Open odds, championship history and picks to win, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Im an addict and I just love to play, he said. DIVOTS: Jordan Spieth had a double bogey on No. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Sahith Theegala crashed golf's biggest party. 1 in the world if he can win the CJ Cup in South Carolina. Vice Golf Ball Deals 2023: take advantage of these impressive new deals! L. Aberg -12 10:50 AM Leaderboard 5. The Waves were ranked no. Sahith Theegala is one round away from his first PGA Tour title in just his second start of his rookie season. Putnam, who won his lone TOUR title at the 2018 Barracuda Championship, has made the cut in all eight of his starts this fall, including a runner-up to Keegan Bradley at THE ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. If only we could all be inspired this easily. ORLANDO, Fla. Sahith Theegala, whose humble public golf course roots, unpretentious mien and near victory at last month's Waste Management Phoenix Open have made him a rising . The episode titled 'Golf is Hard', saw Theegala get accustomed to his new life in Houston, where he plays the PGA Tour. Any back-related abnormality obviously isnt a good thing for any golfer, but Theegala has found a way to make it work. "I just figured it was like another free-roll opportunity, might as well take advantage of it and obviously super thankful that I got in.. He had a quadruple-bogey 8 on No. Story originally appeared on GolfWeek But the strangest moment of all came on the 15th hole, with a lip-out that flirted so hard with the hole that they're practically engaged: By our reckoning, that's more than a full 360 spin-out, and I'm not sure I've ever seen that before. It was such a heartwarming display of emotions. Instant access to the latest news, videos and photos from around the world of golf. T. Pendrith -13 11:00 AM Leaderboard 3. [4] Amateur career Theegala was a three-time NCAA All-American at Pepperdine University. I saw Tiger Woods - Sahith Theegalas father explains how the rookie golfer got into the sport young in Netflixs Full Swing. 1. I think no matter what everyone feels about either tour, whatever opinions they have or thoughts they have, I think it affects everyone, whether they want to admit it or not, Theegala said. However, that doesnt mean its the end of the world for the PGA Tour. He couldve returned home to California or his adopted hometown of Houston and kicked up his feet after an eventful first year that included several close calls with victory. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The PGA Tour rookie birdied the par-3 third and ran in a 30-footer on par-3 fourth. Seemingly everyone who has played with him or seen him play has a story, and the plot follows the same script: Theegala escapes from a near-impossible. T. Moore 11:00 AM 1. Pepperdine was the top-ranked team in the country when the college golf season was shut down due to COVID-19. Theegala is teeing it up at theCadence Bank Houston Open this week atMemorial Park Golf Course after an impressive debut season where he pushed Cameron Young all the way for the Rookie of The Year honour. Ahead of the 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, Theegala, who lives in The Woodlands, Texas, was asked about whether the upstart LIV Golf affected him. The golf course is sensational. The Open Championship returns to the home of golf on July 14-17, 2022, to celebrate the 150th edition of the sport's oldest championship, which dates to 1860 and . Then things got complicated. Copyright: ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Putnam and Theegala, who will play in Sundays second-to-last group with local favorite Brian Harman, share an alma mater (Pepperdine) and a caddie connection. Cantlay is making his first appearance in the event. In 2016-17, he had five top-10 finishes, including his first collegiate victory, and was again an All-WCC First Team selection, also earning All-American third-team honors. Sahith Theegala played at the WM Phoenix Open in 2022 on a sponsor exemption. In addition to competing for his high school team, Theegala also competed on the invitation-only Toyota Tour Cup, a highly prestigious tour in which junior golfers can hone their skills and compete against the top players in the region.