Theegala and Scottie Scheffler (inset). Getty Images
Scottsdale, Ariz: India’s Anirban Lahiri exited early but Sahith Theegala put himself in the thick of things before finishing third in the WM Phoenix Open. The Indian-American, who led for the second and third days, seemed to be in contention till he found water on the 17th and finished one stroke short of getting into a play-off with Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay.
Playing on a sponsor exemption Theegala could have made history by becoming the first player since Martin Laird in 2020 to win while on a sponsor exemption.
As Theegala fell back with a bogey on 17, Scheffler outlasted Ryder Cup teammate Patrick Cantlay on the third hole of a playoff making a 25-foot birdie putt to win his maiden PGA Tour title.
In the play-off Cantlay missed an 11-foot birdie try after Scheffler holed his putt.
Scheffler birdied four of the final six holes for a 4-under 67 to match Cantlay at 16-under 268 at TPC Scottsdale. Cantlay, playing one group ahead of Scheffler, had a bogey-free 67.
Scheffler broke through in his 71st PGA TOUR start. Before Sunday, the 25-year-old former University of Texas star’s biggest professional highlights were beating Jon Rahm in September in United States’ Ryder Cup victory at Whistling Straits and shooting a 59 in the 2020 THE NORTHERN TRUST.
Scheffler and Cantlay parred on the first two extra holes on 18 before Scheffler won on third.
Theegala’s tee shot on the Par-4 17 got a bad bounce and went into water as his whole family and his old coach at Pepperdine, were in attendance in the gallery. Theegala fought back tears and said, “Sorry,” as he met his parents. He added, “I thought I hit a great shot on 17. It was cutting. As long as it’s another yard right, I think that’s perfect. Kick straight and it’s good. Kicked left into the water there. Then I was worried about the ball – it was such a steep slope.” He went on. “I was worried about the ball kind of rolling back, so I maybe rushed my process just a little bit there and hit a poor chip and hit a poor putt. I just didn’t hit the shots at the right time when it counted, but definitely proud of the way I played this week.”
The 24-year-old Rookie Theegala lost a share of the lead with a bogey on the par-4 17th and shot a 70 to tie for third at 15 under with 2021 winner Brooks Koepka (69) and Xander Schauffele (68).
Billy Horschel (66) and Alex Noren (68) were 14 under, with Justin Thomas (66) another stroke back with two-time winner Hideki Matsuyama (69).
Read also:
Indian-American rookie Theegala leads, Lahiri misses cut at Phoenix Open
Lahiri 44th as Theegala playing on sponsor’s exemption gets into lead in Phoenix
Lahiri looks for redemption at Phoenix Open
