Sahith wins fans with self imposed US$2.5 million penalty

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.