Sahith Theegala signed for a bogey-free 5-under 66 Thursday on the 3M Open in Minnesota. He sits tied for fifth after the primary spherical of the event.
After lacking the minimize in all three of his earlier begins, the PGA Tour winner got here out robust on a pure TPC Twin Cities observe.
Theegala dedicated early to play within the 3M Open this season, planning to make use of this occasion as a momentum booster for the playoffs.
When he turned professional in 2020, this event was among the many first to supply him a sponsor exemption.
“It’s the proper storm,” Theegala mentioned after his spherical on Thursday. “They’ve been so good to me, and it’s a well-run occasion, top-of-the-line run occasions, and so they deal with you proper. The Golf course is pure. The grounds crew does an awesome job. All of that retains me coming again right here.”
His opening spherical rating is the very best to this point at this occasion. Theegala loves this occasion, however he has not all the time thought that the observe fits his recreation. The previous Pepperdine golfer struggled off the tee most of his profession however is now enthusiastic about taking part in it much more.
“I didn’t assume the golf course suited my recreation till this yr,” he mentioned. “Off the tee’s so essential out right here. I used to be excited to return again as a result of it’s been the most important enchancment in my recreation. It’s like a revenge week for me, and I needed to return again and see what I can do on the golf course that’s beat me up fairly unhealthy the final three years.”
He ranks No. 12 in strokes gained off the tee (+1.589) and across the inexperienced (+1.156).
In strokes gained whole, Theegala sits T6 at +4.424. He hit 9-of-14 fairways and 15-of-18 greens. It was a stable first spherical for the 26-year-old.
Theegala is No. 7 within the FedEx Cup standings. He has two runner-up finishes, six High 10s, and 9 High 25s in 20 begins. This week is just not about factors for him, as he’s within the playoffs.
Nonetheless, he got here to overcome one thing internally with this observe.
“That is the one week the place I genuinely really feel I’m not even apprehensive concerning the rating; I need to beat the golf course,” Theegala mentioned. “I’m not even different guys or the board — I don’t care what they shoot. I need to really feel like I’ve tackled this course. Some guys would draw back, however I’ve no drawback taking it on. If I fail, so be it, however I don’t need to let the course get the very best of me once more.”
Sahith Theegala known as the 3M Open a “revenge week,” after he is struggled right here previously.
Needed to return again to get one other crack at it. Thus far so good with a 5-under 67.
“I am not even apprehensive concerning the rating, I simply need to beat the golf course.” pic.twitter.com/fZHtZPl5qu
— Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) July 25, 2024
Theegala appears on a mission, and the primary spherical went to him. The subsequent step will seemingly be to make the minimize and play all 4 days.
He’ll get a later tee time for Friday’s spherical as he’ll play with Nick Dunlap and Keegan Bradley at 1:54 p.m. ET.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may as well comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
