Sahith Theegala’s Emotional Victory Secured by Supportive Father at Fortinet Championship

Sahith Theegala Secures First PGA Tour Victory with Unparalleled Support from Friends and Family

A sense of familiarity and overwhelming support surrounded Sahith Theegala as he clinched his first-ever PGA Tour triumph at the Fortinet Championship in Napa. With over 35 friends and family members eagerly cheering him on, the California-born golfer sealed victory with a remarkable performance.

Finishing with a final round score of four-under 68, Theegala completed the tournament at an impressive 21-under overall, securing a two-shot lead over South Korea’s S.H. Kim. This monumental win marked his first victory in his 74th PGA Tour start.

“It still feels surreal,” expressed an elated Theegala during interviews following his triumph. “I don’t think it will fully sink in for some time. But wow, that was an extraordinary display of golf, and I had so much fun out there. The support from my family and friends was absolutely mind-blowing.”

This incredible accomplishment meant everything to him: “This feeling is indescribable, and I owe it all to my team and everyone who has been by my side throughout this journey. It truly takes a village to achieve something like this, and for me to put it all together like this means the world.”

A Familiar Face Conducts the Symphony of Support

Amidst the jubilant atmosphere at Silverado Resort was none other than Sahith Theegala’s father – ‘Murli’ Muralidhar – orchestrating unwavering encouragement for his son’s momentous feat. His request for additional tickets to accommodate their extended family and friends, many of whom had traveled through the night from Southern California, was graciously granted by the PGA Tour.

Theegala senior exuded excitement right from the start, celebrating with euphoria and exchanging high-fives with those accompanying him as his son opened the final day with a birdie. As Sahith continued to deliver six more birdies throughout his round, their celebrations grew in intensity, drawing them closer to this long-awaited victory.

A Redemption Tale

This triumph carried even greater significance for Sahith Theegala after experiencing a heart-wrenching collapse at the Phoenix Open in February 2022. This painful moment was captured intimately in Netflix’s “Full Swing” docuseries, where an inconsolable Theegala received comfort from his parents, Muralidhar and Karuna. Falling just short of making it into a playoff ultimately won by Scottie Scheffler left him devastated.

His parent’s words of reassurance during that difficult time echoed through reality: “It’s okay; you’ll get your day soon.” Sure enough, seventeen months later marked that very day when Sahith tapped home at the 18th hole and made a beeline towards his emotional parents.

A Proud Father Reflects on His Son’s Journey

“I am incredibly proud of him,” stated Theegala’s father proudly amidst post-tournament interviews. “This victory is significant for his career as it enhances his confidence in being able to achieve success independently without relying on others. I always believed he could do it.”

Moving To America from India back in 1987, Muralidhar played an instrumental role in supporting his son’s aspirations of pursuing professional golf despite being seemingly far-fetched:

“My dad’s the reason I’m here today,” expressed Theegala, acknowledging his father’s unwavering support. “When he first came to America, his focus was solely on academics and studying. However, my parents skillfully merged Indian culture with American culture and allowed me to pursue sports.

“Initially, some of our family members and friends found it hard to understand why I was determined to chase a career in professional golf. It seemed like an impossible dream; however, my dad always had my back from day one. He believed in me and knew that this dream could become a reality.

“He pushed me relentlessly while also being one of my closest friends. His advice was simple – have fun! The main thing was for me to enjoy the journey.”

Sahith Theegala’s remarkable victory at the Fortinet Championship not only highlights his individual achievements but also pays homage to the unyielding support of his loved ones throughout his journey into professional golf.