Indian-American Sahith Theegala endears himself to everyone with his brand of golf and smile

by | Jul 16, 2022 | Indian-American, Sports

Reading Time: 2 minutes

There is no Indian at the 150th Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews. But the Indians who had come to milestone Major gladly embraced an Indian American, who has paid back that adulation in more than ample measure. His brand of fearless golf, the shot making skills and a disarming smile and demeanour will keep bringing in tons of fans.

Sahith Theegala, 24, whose parents are of Indian origins, shot 69-68 and at 7-under for 36 holes he was up there in Top-10.

Asked how he had felt so far, “Yeah, I’ve just had a ton of fun, even the last two days being on the course. It’s a blast. Major championship golf is insane. On top of it, to be here is doubly insane.”

He loves every moment of his life, and it shows in his golf.

Theegala, who has missed winning at least two PGA Tour titles by the slenderest of margins and almost at the post, was not even in the field 10 days ago. Yet, he had made up his mind to come to St. Andrews for the 150th edition of the Open, to play which he was ready to give an arm and more.

“I was here nine, ten years ago,” said one of the rising stars on the PGA Tour, where he’s twice come close to landing a maiden victory this season.

“I played Carnoustie, and I’m like this is the hardest course I ever played. I birdied 18 to break 90, shot 89. But these conditions are so firm, so much fun. I love it.”

Theegala, whose father moved from India to the US in 1987, sits six shots off the lead in the season’s final major after opening with rounds of 69-68.

He only got into the field due to withdrawals. “To get that call and not be an alternate, to relieve some of the anxiety, it was awesome,” he admitted.

“Especially because of the magnitude of the event and not only my first Open, but St Andrews, the 150th.

“So I was very, very excited. It honestly took me a couple days to kind of settle down here. I got here, and I was almost too excited.

“I was walking the course on Monday even, and I wasn’t really focusing in paying attention on the prep work. I’ve just had a ton of fun, even the last two days being on the course. It’s a blast.”

He’s particularly enjoying the challenge of facing monster putts on the huge double greens on the Old Course. “I love it, absolutely love it. It’s the best. You don’t get to do this anywhere else,” he said, smiling.

Like this story? Or have something to share?

Write to us: contact@hindhimalayausa.com

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter

0 Comments

You May Also Like

Indian-American Woman To Lead Microsoft’s Generative AI Efforts

Indian-American Woman To Lead Microsoft’s Generative AI Efforts

Tech giant Microsoft has got its corporate vice president in the form of Aparna Chennapragada, an Indian-American tech industry veteran and former Google executive with over 20 years of experience in product development, design, and strategy. Aparna Chennapragada will...

Indian-American Student Saved In UK After Heart Stopped Six Times

Indian-American Student Saved In UK After Heart Stopped Six Times

An Indian-American student studying in London has decided to choose a career in medicine after the UK's National Health Service (NHS) medics saved his life after his heart stopped six times. Atul Rao, from Seattle and a student from Baylor University in Texas,...

Indian-Americans have made a mark for themselves in US: Neera Tanden

Indian-Americans have made a mark for themselves in US: Neera Tanden

Indian-Americans have made a mark for themselves in the US and under President Joe Biden the community members are throughout the administration, a top White House official has said. “We have such a strong person-to-person, community-to-community leader relationship...

Indian-American DJ KSHMR collaborates with Raftaar on Legacy

Indian-American DJ KSHMR collaborates with Raftaar on Legacy

As hip-hop turns 50 , Indian-American DJ-producer KSHMR and rapper-producer Raftaar have joined forces for their debut collaboration titled 'Legacy', the third track from KSHMR's much-awaited Indian hip-hop album 'Karam'. Raftaar showcases his lyrical prowess as he...

US pork industry working on exporting first shipments to India

US pork industry working on exporting first shipments to India

The American pork industry is working on exporting its first shipments of pork to India, an industry leader has told lawmakers. Randy Spronk, a Minnesota pork producer, was speaking during a Congressional hearing on behalf of the National Pork Producers Council....

16 Indian American middle schoolers in STEM challenge finals

16 Indian American middle schoolers in STEM challenge finals

A total of 16 Indian American youngsters are among 30 finalists in the inaugural Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition. The 30...