It was such a close yet so far case for Sahith Theegala at the Sanderson Farms Championship. For much of the tournament, it seemed destined for his first professional victory. Unfortunately, he fell three behind eventual leader Sam Burns, with Sathith’s 19-under par clinching a career-high eighth for the prodigiously talented Indian-American.
In happier news, Theegala secured his ticket to the PGA Tour for the 2021-2022 season in early September. He thanked his mother, father and brother for supporting him as he sought PGA Tour membership. “Not sure what I did to deserve such wonderful people around me but I feel the love,” Sahith wrote on Instagram.
Sahith faced racism as a young golfer due to his Indian heritage.
Sahith’s father, Muralidhar Theegala, moved to the United States from India in 1987 for graduate studies. He met fellow Indian immigrant Karuna Theegala and together they welcomed Sahith Theegala on December 4, 1997.
Muralidhar kept the family connected to their Indian heritage by traveling to India at least once every two years. In 2001, Karuna’s mother, Vijaya Laxmi, moved to the United States to help raise Sahith and her brother while Karuna battled cancer.
Every year since 2001, Laxmi has spent six months a year with Sahith’s family. Therefore, although Sahith grew up in California, she feels a strong connection to his Indian roots.
“I am definitely very proud of my Indian background and heritage,” Sahith said. The New York Times. “But when I’m with my friends and other golfers, it’s not something I think about.”
Sahith’s career almost became an impediment to his fast-paced golf career. His father’s attempt to get him into a private Los Angeles country club failed due to the young golfer’s race. A club representative made it clear that they were not welcome at the club.
“Instead of saying, ‘Who are you?’ he simply said: ‘You’re not supposed to be here,’ said Muralidhar The New York Times. “He just assumed that because of the color of our skin.”
The setback did not stop Sahith’s development, but it highlighted the lack of diversity in golf. The success of Tiger Woods was predicted to bring about a change in the white-dominated sport, but it did little to improve diversity.
Sahith hopes his story can inspire minorities to play golf with the ambition to reach the top. He said:
“In light of what is happening, I am proud of who I am and what I am adding to the golf community in terms of diversity. Ultimately we are all trying to do the same thing in professional golf and that is to have a successful career. Hopefully there’s some inspiration behind it, for people who look at me and realize you don’t have to be a stereotypical white golfer.”
Sahith’s parents pushed him into sports, but they didn’t push him to succeed.
Sahith started watching sports with his father when he was just two years old. Her first love was the Lakers; the young man was heartbroken every time the Los Angeles team lost a game. Sahith developed an adoration for Lakers great Kobe Bryant as a child.
He donned Kobe Bryant’s jersey when he won the Southwestern Invitational two days after Kobe’s tragic death. Some of his Instagram posts include the hashtag #mambamentality, proving that Kobe continues to be an inspiration in Sahith’s life.
Sahith hit his first golf balls at age three, impressing Muralidhar with his natural ability. Theegala won the first tournament he entered, the prestigious Junior Worlds in San Diego. He won the tournament two other times as he progressed through the age groups.
Theegala participated in many tournaments to gain experience in better courses. Private golf clubs refused to grant him admission, so he entered by participating in competitions. Sahith put in a lot of effort, which Muralidhar appreciated; however, Muralidhar reminded his son not to try too hard. Muralidhar said front magazine:
“I told him, ‘Just keep playing your game. If you roll 68 and lose, give credit to the other player. But if you shoot 68 playing your game all the time, you’ll usually beat someone who occasionally shoots 62. Trust your game.”
Muralidhar does not wish Sahith luck when a tournament starts. “I say, ‘Have fun.’ Why would he say ‘Good luck?’” Muralidhar explained. “You’ve already done your job at the shooting range. Just have fun.”
Sahith was a multi-tournament winner when he came to college, but was sadly unrefined. He put clubs in the wrong places, had horrible fashion sense, and had a weird swing. However, the refinement did not bother Sahith as he established himself as the best in the land. Muralidhar said The New York Times May Sahith achieve greatness:
“I always believed that my boy is something special. Let’s hope things work out and, by the grace of God, he will do very well. But I think he was born to do something big.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn