Sahith Theegala. Pic Getty Images
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz: Rookie Indian-American Sahith Theegala stayed up the leaderboard on a day when there were heavy crowds at the course at the WM Phoenix Open.
Sam Ryder added to the excitement with a hole-in-one on the stadium 16th hole. There was a crowd of almost 17,000 at the Stadium hole.
On another sunny, 80-degree day at the fast and firm TPC Scottsdale, Theegala overcame an early double bogey on the par-4 second to shoot a 69.
Coming into the event debut on a sponsor exemption, Theegala had a 14-under 199 total for a one-stroke lead over defending champion Brooks Koepka. FedExCup champion Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler and Talor Gooch were another stroke back.
India’s Anirban Lahiri had missed the cut earlier on as his struggle continued on the PGA Tour.
Theegala is trying to become the first player to win on a sponsor exemption since Martin Laird in the 2020 Shriners Children’s Open.
The 24-year-old Indian-American grew up in Chino Hills, California, and starred at Pepperdine. In 2020, he swept the three major college player of the year awards.
He’s playing for the fifth straight week, with his parents and some family members attending the last four in California and Arizona.
After hitting the lip of a fairway bunker en route to the double bogey on No. 2, Theegala rallied with birdies on Nos, 6, 7 and 8. He dropped a shot on the 11th, birdied the par-5 13th and holed a 15-footer on the par-4 17th.
Koepka had a 68. The four-time major champion is the last player to win the event in his first appearance, doing it in 2015.
Scheffler flirted with his second 59 before settling for a 62. Seeking his first TOUR victory, he began the day nine strokes behind Theegala.
Scheffler played his first nine in 7-under 27, and added two birdies on his second nine. He was the last player on the TOUR to shoot 59, doing it in THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2020. Jim Furyk is the only player to break 60 twice in the PGA TOUR, shooting 58 and 59.
The fourth-ranked Cantlay, also making his first start in the event, had a 68. Gooch birdied the last three holes for a 67, making a 40-footer on 18.
Schauffele, the leader at 14 under at the turn, shot 69. He made a double bogey after driving into the water on the par-4 11th.
Hideki Matsuyama (66) was 11 under with Tom Hoge (67), Max Homa (68), Alex Noren (67) and Adam Hadwin (68).
