PGA Tour star set to lose out on millions after calling Tour Championship rules violation on himself

PGA Tour star set to lose out on millions after calling Tour Championship rules violation on himself

Sahith Theegala, a rising star on the PGA Tour, demonstrated exceptional integrity during the third round of the Tour Championship at East Lake. However, his honesty may ultimately prove costly, as he called a rules violation on himself, resulting in a two-shot penalty.

 

Theegala’s impressive performance at the Tour Championship had positioned him for a potentially life-changing payday. With a strong start to the tournament, he had climbed to third place, just four shots behind leader Collin Morikawa and nine shots behind Scottie Scheffler.

 

However, during his third round, Theegala’s actions in a bunker on the par-three fourth hole led to a two-shot penalty. After hitting his second shot into the third green, Theegala alerted his playing partner Xander Schauffele and rules officials, expressing concerns that he may have moved sand in the bunker with his backswing.

 

Despite not feeling the sand move, Theegala believed he saw a few grains of sand shift as his club came away from the ball. This prompted a 10-minute discussion with Tour officials, who ultimately upheld the penalty due to Theegala’s initial admission.

 

Theegala’s selfless act of honesty may come at a significant financial cost. With the FedEx Cup champion set to receive $19 million, and the runner-up earning $9.5 million, a drop-off of nearly $4 million between second and third place could prove detrimental to Theegala’s chances of securing a substantial payday.

 

Theegala’s actions demonstrate his commitment to upholding the integrity of the game, even if it means sacrificing personal gain. His willingness to speak up and accept the penalty showcases his character and dedication to fair play.

 

As the tournament concludes, Theegala’s fate remains uncertain. While his honesty may have cost him millions, it has undoubtedly earned him respect and admiration from his peers and fans alike. Regardless of the outcome, Theegala’s actions will be remembered as a testament to the values of integrity and sportsmanship that define the game of golf.