Sahith Theegala showed an unusually calm arrival at the Fortinet Championship.
He had a lot of jitters whenever he had previously appeared at the Silverado Resort. The location of the event in the schedule, which served as the start of the Regular Season, is typically related to this.
The competition now has a greater sense of pressure because it is the start of the redesigned FedExCup Fall schedule. Theegala, however, is not in this situation, which is something that is benefiting him.
The majority of the field is concerned with getting a TOUR card for 2024, but Theegala is unconcerned and in good spirits. His finish of 31st in the FedExCup Playoffs ensured his eligibility for the following year. He is not the only one.
At the Fortinet Championship, Theegala holds a two-shot advantage over a few other competitors who are benefiting from a laid-back atmosphere.
Cam Davis, Eric Cole, Matt Kuchar, and Justin Thomas all credited their successes to a renewed sense of tranquility. As of Sunday, each is among the top 5.
It seems that clear thinking makes for clean golf.
Theegala stated after a third round of 67, “It’s been a good week with a lot of good vibes.”
Of course, there is still a win to be had. Theegala and Cole are on tour in pursuit of their first. Kuchar, Davis, and Thomas are all attempting to end droughts that have lasted for too long. The group will be vying for the win with nothing to lose on a back nine that has played more than 1 under this week and has three par 5s, which could make for an intriguing finale.
Theegala will be on the pitch with Davis. The Australian beat S.H. Kim (also 15 under) for a spot in the final pairing on Saturday by shooting a 65 and making birdies on 5 of his final 6 holes to finish 15 under. Davis recorded three straight top-10 finishes to qualify for the Playoffs and guarantee a berth in all the Signature Events, finishing 48th in the FedExCup.
Davis, who has experimented with his setup and grip to amazing effect, stated that if he were still vying for position for the following season, “it would be a very different mindset than what I’ve got.”
He comes in 9th in putting and 6th in strokes gained from tee to green.
Thomas comes after that. He is still uncertain about his place in the Signature Events, unlike Theegala and Davis.
To qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational through The Next 10, Thomas, who is now ranked 71st in the FedExCup, must get into the top 60 by the end of the autumn. But when he was chosen as the captain’s pick for the United States Ryder Cup team, a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. Although he still has a lot to gain on the TOUR, he is playing with a fresh sense of independence and ownership that has been really helpful.
“More than anything, though, I mentally believe that wonderful things are going to happen, so that’s at least a solid start. I’m putting myself in much better places to have good things happen.” Thomas said.
The third-round score of 65 by the two-time major champion tied Davis and Kuchar for the lowest of the day. His best shot came from a bunker on the 15th par-5, which he holed for eagle. On Saturday, he completed the four par 5 holes at 5 under. He will play in the last group with S.H. Kim and is 15 under par.
Max Homa, the two-time defending champion, also prowls. Early on Saturday afternoon, he briefly held the lead after making birdies on five of his first seven holes. Homa finished the last 11 holes at 3 over par, dropping to 10 under and seven strokes adrift.
“The golf tournament victory is beginning to seem a little flimsy. Hopefully a positive occurrence. I’m hoping I can at least be heard.” he said.
Theegala, the Californian youth who seems comfortable at home, is being chased by everyone. Theegala has mastered the North Course at Silverado Resort like he has played it hundreds of times, with a large group of friends and family cheering him on at every stroke. He has only allowed himself 2 bogeys all week despite never hitting more than 7 fairways in a single round. He places second in putting and first in scrambling.
“It feels like I’m just scrambling my butt off a little bit, which is fantastic because it feels almost like a bonus if I’m in the fairway,” Theegala said.
A win would be a plus in his eyes as well. Theegala has steadfastly maintained that he doesn’t consider winning. He is content if he is moving forward and in the race. He will eventually come across a victory.
But he couldn’t help but consider what doing it on a Sunday in Napa Valley may entail.
Theegala stated, “To get a win in the home state would mean the world,” before admitting that perhaps he is under some pressure after all.
“I’m going to be quite anxious, but I’m just going to attempt to use my anxiety to have fun,” he said.
