Sahith Reddy Theegala walked off the course after his second spherical, drenched within the pouring rain and doubtless smouldering inside for ending what appeared like a stable spherical with back-to-back bogies on the seventeenth and 18th.
And but, the second you remind him that he will get to spend one other two days on probably the most hallowed property in golf, a smile instantly seems on his face.
To borrow a phrase from our faculty days, Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, and The Masters, poses questions which can be ‘out of syllabus’. It’s brutal for the primary timers traditionally, despite the fact that gamers like Jordan Spieth and Will Zalatoris have made fairly spectacular debuts in recent times.
Tough on good {golfing} days, the Augusta Nationwide was like an irritated viper that had simply been stepped on its tail within the climate circumstances that prevailed on Saturday. With out doing something horrible, Theegala had slipped to three-over for the third spherical after eight holes and appeared like dropping manner down because the chilly, wind and chronic rain made life troublesome.
However right here is the factor in regards to the 25-year-old American-Indian, whose dad and mom hail from Hyderabad – he doesn’t quit. At any time when his again is towards the wall, he’ll one way or the other use it as a springboard.
Up to now one 12 months, Theegala has develop into a phenomenon on the PGA Tour, rising from outdoors 300 within the Official World Golf Rankings to No 30 this 12 months. Throughout that point, his expressive golf and his unbelievable array of inventive photographs has gained him 1000’s of followers. And 1000’s extra have flocked to his facet since Netflix aired ‘Full Swing’ earlier this 12 months, by which Theegala and his vocal group of family and friends had been prominently featured.
So, after making a double bogey on the par-4 seventeenth gap (his eighth) on Saturday, Theegala did what he at all times does – dusted himself, received again on the horse and raced forward. He performed his final 10 holes bogey-free and with two birdies to complete on one-over 73 for the third spherical. That improved his place to tied twenty fifth place at even-par 216 (73+70+73).
“It’s been an unimaginable week up to now. I received right here Sunday late afternoon. I knew it was going to go actually quick. So, I simply tried to soak up the second. The truth that I’ve received a pair extra rounds is simply superior,” stated Theegala after making the lower.
“This place is so particular. I’ve a few of my greatest buddies and all of my household right here. It’s been enjoyable. I simply don’t need the week to finish. I’m simply going to take pleasure in these final two rounds it doesn’t matter what the climate’s like and the way I play.
“However the sport feels good, and I’m a competitor. As soon as I get out on the golf course, I’m totally centered and all that. Whether or not the climate is unhealthy, or good, it’s at all times enjoyable to be at this place and attending to play towards one of the best gamers on the earth.”
Requested if a top-10 was inside his attain, Theegala stated: “I’m not even fascinated with it, however I’d love that. I believe the way in which I’m hitting it, simply received to be crisper across the greens for the ultimate spherical. It’s very a lot attainable.”
Among the finest and oft-repeated anecdotes about Theegala is how he begins his session on the driving vary by hitting intentional shanks. His followers are additionally bewildered by the form of photographs he has been capable of pull off. Which is a high quality that has been put to good use on the hilly and uneven terrain of Augusta Nationwide.
“For those who gave me a flat lie each shot, I’m not one of the best vary participant, I would be the first to confess that. I believe there’s a number of guys that are not even right here at this occasion that might hit it a lot, significantly better than me from a flat vary lie,” stated Theegala, whose self-deprecating methods have additionally set him aside.
“My really feel and my visualisation takes over off these uneven lies. I’m not even nervous that I received to place an ideal swing on it. I’m simply feeling the slope out. I simply assume ‘can’t miss there, so I’m hitting it there’.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a bonus right here at Augusta Nationwide. However I actually take pleasure in that side of it.”
Theegala by no means appears like trying past his subsequent golf shot. However he’ll make an exception for the Masters – he undoubtedly desires to be again right here subsequent 12 months.