Sahith Theegala capped off the 2023-2024 season with an impressive 3rd place finish in the FedEx Cup rankings
A huge outpouring of admiration and praise on social media followed Indian American Sahith Theegala who called a possible rules infraction which no one else saw during the third round of the US$100 million Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.
The subsequent two shot penalty imposed by PGA Tour Rules Officials, which ultimately cost the 26 year old US$2.5 million (the difference between finishing Tied 2nd and 3rd alone) became equally controversial and criticised and might spark a rule change, ultimately.
The incident occurred on the par-4 third hole when Theegala’s drive found the right fairway bunker. After hitting his second shot onto the green from 149 yards and two-putting from 39 feet, Theegala notified his playing partner Xander Schauffele and PGA Tour rules officials that he believed he might have unintentionally brushed a few grains of sand with his clubhead at the start of his backswing during his fairway bunker shot.
Sahith Theegala took a 2 stroke penalty for brushing sand at the Tour Championship. Called it on himself, not even the camera could catch it. Lost $2.5 million.
A reminder that Patrick Reed once claimed this egregious act wasn’t a penalty.
A lesson in character. pic.twitter.com/VYIb1tBFne
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) September 2, 2024
“Intuition, it felt like I moved the sand,” Theegala said. “It was sitting in my mind. If I went back after the round, looked that up and found out that it was a two-shot penalty, I would be DQ’d right now. So I am glad I brought it up right away.”
He added, “I know the rules of golf a little bit better now. There is a lot of silly stuff you can do in the bunker. You can chuck a club in the bunker… you can use your golf club as a stand in the bunker. As long as it’s not right next to your ball. There’s a lot of things you can do. But unfortunately, if it’s in the area affecting the lie and the swing of your shot, regardless of intent, it’s a two-shot penalty.”
Theegala later discussed the situation and his decision on his girlfriend Juju Chan’s TikTok account, providing insight into the importance of honesty and integrity in golf.
Sahith explained his penalty again on his girlfriend Juju’s TikTok ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/mjjAUn1MRU
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) September 1, 2024
With his decision, Theegala now has new fans, who love him more for his integrity and being a role model in golf for kids and all golf players.
Photo – PGA TOUR