Alum becomes PGA Tour member
Throughout 2021 and into 2022, Diamond Bar High School alumnus Sahith Theegala, who graduated in 2015, has continued to strive and improve in his professional golf career.
Following his 2020 title as Pepperdine University’s first National Player of the Year, he would continue with impressive placements throughout the 2020-21 season. This included his first top 10 placement in a tournament at the MGM Resorts Championship in April, shooting eight under par.
Throughout a majority of 2021, Theegala played as a non-member, which meant he had to play for the points to earn himself a PGA Tour Card and play in the official PGA Tour. However, he would get to play officially in some events through qualifiers and sponsorships, from companies like Ping—an equipment brand and Unisys—a sponsorship program for golf players.
After qualifying for the last qualifiers of the season, Theegala scored a chance to compete in the 2021 U.S. Open, only getting cut after shooting four above par over two rounds. He ended off the season with a mediocre finish, placing 37th at the Barbasol Championship after shooting 12 under par over four rounds.
In September, Theegala placed sixth in the Korn Ferry Tour Championships and finally secured his PGA Tour card during the finals, ensuring his professional status for the next season.
In addition, he placed fourth at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in August where he impressively shot two consecutive 5-unders and finished with a total of 14 shots under par.
Going into the 2021-22 season, Theegala placed 47th in the Fortinet Championship, shooting five under par over four rounds. Two weeks later, he placed 8th at the Sanderson Farms Championship—an impressive performance as he shot 19 under par over four rounds.
“Definitely a little nerves in there for sure,” Theegala told the PGA Associated Press after his impressive performance at the Sanderson Farms Championship. “But I think people have said before that pressure is a privilege, and I’m trying to use those nerves to my advantage.”
Since then, Theegala has had decent placements, placing 74th at the Butterfield Bermuda Championships and 61st at the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open.
“Obviously, the guys out here are the best of the best and the best in the world so it’s a little bit different, but golf is still golf,” Theegala said in an interview with the Clarion Ledger. “That’s what I keep saying to myself.”
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