Sahith Theegala Earns Maiden PGA TOUR Triumph at Fortinet Championship

Sahith Theegala Earns Maiden PGA TOUR Triumph at Fortinet Championship
(PA Images/Alamy)

Sahith Theegala secured his first victory on the PGA TOUR at the Fortinet Championship in California after a late Justin Thomas charge fizzled out.

The 25-year-old American began the final round with a two-shot advantage and went onto hit seven birdies and three bogeys which helped him close with a 68 to finish on 21 under.

“It doesn’t feel real, it’s probably not going to sink in for a while,” Theegala said.

“But man, there was a lot of good golf, and that was probably the most fun I’ve had on a golf course in my life. Family and friends cheering me on, it’s mind-blowing.

“This feeling is incredible and I couldn’t have done it without my whole team and everyone out here. It’s a team effort and for me to put it together like this means the world.”

Thomas began the day tied for second but his chances of securing his first victory of the year faded away dramatically after hitting four bogeys in the front nine. The former world no. 1 ended the day with a level par 72 to finish in fifth six strokes behind Theegala on 15 under.

Theegala birdie putt on the 14th all but guaranteed the win for the American extending his lead to five shots ahead of South Korea’s S.H. Kim. Kim, however, went onto finish two shots adrift of Theegala in second while Australia’s Cam Davis claimed third on 17 under.

The next event on the PGA TOUR, following the Ryder Cup, is the Sanderson Farms Championship taking place between 5-8 October at the Country Club of Jackson.