ORLANDO, FLORIDA (AP) – Sahith Theegala isn’t a great fan of flying. It’s one of the reasons he prefers to travel in his 2015 Volkswagen Passat during the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing. The 37-hour drive from his parents’ house in Chino Hills, California, to Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, however, was a little too much time in the driver’s seat for him.
Theegala joked, “I was thinking about that.” “I didn’t drive here; I flew.” It was a really simple flight.”
Besides, Theegala is having a great time driving his courtesy car, a GMC Yukon Denali, this week. Theegala is already a rising star on the tour, having nearly won in Phoenix a few weeks ago and closing in on the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking as he prepares to make his Arnold Palmer Invitational debut and contend for the $2.16 million first-place prize. But he still talks about the benefits of being a full-fledged Tour member on a weekly basis as if he’s still an amateur on a sponsor exemption.
Definitely the courtesy automobiles. The player has a meal. The golf courses’ state of repair.
“I can understand how some of the guys out here get spoilt,” Theegala remarked.
It wasn’t long ago that Theegala was in the midst of his rookie season, battling for a spot in events on his number. He said he immediately found that the Korn Ferry Tour graduates’ exemption category wasn’t ideal, but that after tied for eighth at Sanderson Farms last fall, he didn’t have to worry.
Despite this, Theegala continued to approach tournaments as if he had no standing at all. He’s prospered in the face of hardship throughout his career. When he injured his left wrist in college and had to sit out for over a year, he came back to win the Haskins Award and play the best golf of his life. He fashioned a way to the KFT Finals via non-member FedExCup points when he went pro in the middle of a pandemic with nowhere to play — he narrowly qualified, too, by a few points – and then earned his Tour card in three starts.
According to Theegala, the first several months on Tour were a frenzy, which is why he never had time to set any serious goals. He was simply delighted to be playing.
Theegala is still goalless after Phoenix, where he led late before rinsing his tee shot on the penultimate hole.
He said, “I believe not having any definite expectations and stuff like that has been extremely wonderful for me.” “I believe I’m still striving to improve by doing the same thing.” Every day, week, hour, whatever it is, even if it’s.0001 percent better… But I’m not concerned about the expectations as long as I’m focused on that kind of improvement. I believe that the hard effort that is being put in will show.”
Theegala has been putting in the miles in more ways than one, and he’s already saved enough money to not only upgrade his Passat (he wants a sports car), but also to move out of his parents’ house and into his own. But, once again, his hectic schedule has made deciding where to plant new roots practically impossible. He has some friends in The Woodlands, Texas, who have a spare room – numerous Tour players, including Patrick Reed and Jhonattan Vegas, live in the Houston area – and it remains a potential landing destination for a variety of reasons, including its location.
There are numerous quick and convenient flights available. Additionally, there will be additional opportunities for attractive courtesy cars. Both are favorites of Theegala.
