Never mind crazy golf.. being here is insane!
Rocket Man’s having a blast at St Andrews
OVER-EXCITED Sahith Theegala reckons it’s insane to be at The Open.
Nicknamed the Rocket Man, golf’s newest rising star is taking another huge career step forward at St Andrews.
Theegala’s emotional outbursts and stylish play have captured the hearts of the public as have his two agonising recent misses on the PGA Tour.
The 24-year-old had a golden chance to win the Phoenix Open before blowing it and opening a door for Scottie Scheffler and he did the same three weeks ago when a double on the last handed the Travelers to Xander Schauffele.
But Theegala’s close shaves have helped earn him an Open spot and he feels that’s madness in its own right given he started out playing on courses without grass.
He’s in the Claret Jug hunt at seven under and said: “I didn’t think I’d move up after the Travelers world rankingwise, so I was fully ready to go back to California.
“I was going to take the Scottish Open off because I didn’t want to travel and just play my home state event at Barracuda.
“But I realised I moved up in the world ranking, and I might get in.
“To get that call and not be an alternate, to relieve some of the anxiety, it was awesome. Especially
because of the magnitude of the event and not only my first Open, but St Andrews, The 150th, so I was excited.
“It took me a couple days here to settle down. I got here and was almost too excited. I was walking the course on Monday and I wasn’t really focusing on the prep work.
“Just the last two days being on the course. It’s a blast. Major championship golf is insane.
“On top of it, to be here is doubly insane.”
Theegala has taken to the test superbly with his 68 yesterday moving him into contention.
He’s adapting easily, although it’s not his first outing having been through hell at Carnoustie as a kid.
Theegala said: “I was here 10 years ago. I played Carnoustie and I’m like, ‘this is the hardest course I ever played’. But this is my first in conditions this firm. I love it.
“It’s funny that there’s no water or grass on a lot of California public courses.
“It’s like hitting off the hard pin and you kind of learn to hit these spinning wedges, like cutting them or hooking them. I feel pretty comfortable on some of the lies out here because I know some guys change their wedges.
“But I’m used to hitting off hard pins and you don’t get to do this anywhere else.”
Theegala’s week has improved even more by sharing a stage with Tiger Woods for two days.
He said: “Some of my earliest memories of golf was between 2006 and 2008 when he was still playing at the highest level in the world.
“It was so cool seeing him in person, seeing him going through his full prep work and on the range and the people he attracts.
“It’s just incredible what he does for the game. We’re never going to be able to thank him enough.
“But also just knowing that he’s another dude, another golfer who has bad days. The strength he has just to even make it out and play in a major championship is unreal.”