Theegala thrives in Phoenix debut
Sponsor exemption up two strokes
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Sahith Theegala made up for a messy finish Friday morning in the suspended first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open in a hurry — and kept going.
Making his tournament debut on a sponsor exemption, Theegala shot 7-under-par 64 for a 12-under 130 total to take a two-stroke lead over defending champion Brooks Koepka (66) and Xander Schauffele
(65) at firm, fast and fanpacked TPC Scottsdale.
“Just thankful that I’m here and trying to make the most out of the opportunity,” Theegala said. “No expectations at all, honestly.”
Koepka is the last player to win the event in his first appearance, doing it in 2015 for his first PGA Tour title.
“Striking it good, maybe lost a little bit of speed there on a few putts,” Koepka said. “But the greens — they’re getting fast, they’re getting firm. It will be interesting to see what they’re like tomorrow.”
Said Schauffele, who tied for second last year: “Relatively stress-free, which is always nice around the property. There’s a lot going on.”
Theegala had the lead Thursday at 7 under when darkness suspended play. The 24-yearold, ranked 318th, resumed play on the par-4 eighth by missing a par putt. He also bogeyed the par-4 ninth for a 66 to fall one stroke behind K.H. Lee.
In the second round, in front of many of the more than 175,000 fans who jammed the final holes, Theegala made a 12-foot putt to save par on the par-3 16th. He hit a wedge to 3½ feet for birdie on the par-4 17th and made a 10-footer on the par-4 18th.
■ DP World: At Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 211th-ranked Ryan Fox of New Zealand shot 3-under 69 for a 12-under 132 total and a three-stroke lead at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic’s midpoint. Oliver Bekker, a 37-year-old South African ranked 152nd, shot a course-record 62 to join five other players tied for second.