Theegala Shares Canadian Open Lead After Strong Opening Round
Ontario — Indian-American golfer Sahith Theegala produced one of his best rounds of the season Thursday, shooting a 6-under 64 to move into a share of the lead after the opening round of the RBC Canadian Open.
Theegala’s strong start at TPC Toronto placed him in a six-way tie for first with Brooks Koepka, Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Eric Cole and Matthew Anderson. The performance offered another sign that his game is moving in the right direction ahead of next week’s U.S. Open.
Among other players of Indian origin in the field, Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Yellamaraju opened with 1-under 69s. Canadian qualifier Jeevan Sihota, making his PGA Tour debut, shot a 1-over 71 and will need a stronger second round to move up the leaderboard.
Theegala’s round stood out for the composure he showed after an uncertain start. Beginning on the 10th hole, he was tested immediately when his approach narrowly avoided the water. A sharp chip-in helped him recover and settle into the round.
He dropped a shot at the 11th but quickly responded with a birdie on the next hole. Another birdie at the 18th took him to 2-under at the turn before he surged on his second nine, adding birdies at the first, second, sixth and eighth holes.
“My whole game felt really nice,” Theegala said. “I didn’t strike it that well at the start, and my short game really saved me. Once I settled in after a few holes, I started hitting the ball much better, and things became a lot more comfortable.”
The Hero-supported golfer said the conditions were more difficult than the low scoring suggested. He pointed to strong crosswinds and a tree-lined course that made judging shots challenging.
Theegala said the wind was deceptive because players could not always feel its strength from the fairways. Once the ball rose above the tree line, it could be pushed significantly off line. The sloping greens also required full commitment on approach shots and putts.
Despite a season without many headline finishes, Theegala said he believes his game has been close to producing stronger results.
“I think the results over the last couple of months haven’t been great, but the golf has been there,” he said. “You have to stay positive. I’m making a lot of cuts, which means something is working. You just keep believing and keep moving forward.”
Koepka also made a strong move, birdieing four of his final five holes to join the lead group. The former U.S. Open champion is seeking a deep PGA Tour run after returning to a fuller schedule.
With six players tied at 64 and several others close behind, the tournament remains wide open. For Indian golf followers, Theegala’s return to the top of the leaderboard provided a timely boost as the season enters a key stretch. (Source: IANS)
