In pictures: Sahith Theegala's family surprises him with special gesture at Tour Championship
US golfer Sahith Theegala is making his 100th PGA Tour start at the ongoing Tour Championship at East Lake. To celebrate this special moment, his family surprised him on the course with an adorable gesture.
Theegala's family showed up in Atlanta sporting similar customized T-shirts to celebrate the golfer's 100th PGA Tour event. Their T-shirts read, "100th PGA". It is indeed a very special occasion and his family made it even more special with their gesture. Tour Championship's social media handle posted the pictures of the 26-year-old's family cheering for him.
Sahith Theegala turned professional in 2020 and received his PGA Tour card for the 2021-22 season. In his rookie year, he qualified for the Tour Championship. His first PGA Tour victory came at the 2023 Fortinet Championship finishing 21-under with a two-shot difference. Although he hasn't won a PGA Tour event since then, he has delivered consistent performances.
Theegala is currently placed T-7 at the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta, Georgia. His current score is 4-under. Scottie Scheffler is currently leading the pack.
Who are Sahith Theegala's parents?
Sahith Theegala was born to Murlidhar and Karuna Theegala in Fullerton, California. He also has a younger brother. The family later moved to nearby Chino Hills, California. Although Theegala is a US native, he is of Indian descent. In a PGA Tour article, he was quoted as saying:
"Both my parents came from India with nothing."
His parents migrated to the US in the 1980s from Telangana, India. However, they still keep visiting their home country. His father, Murlidhar, is an engineer. An IIT Madras graduate, he completed his doctoral studies from the Kansas State University in 1987. He then joined the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He has been working there for more than two decades now. Murlidhar, who goes by Murli, said:
"I came to this country, did my master's in Kansas State. I played every sport there and ice hockey for that matter."
He further talked about how he was introduced to golf by a friend.
"When I came to L.A., and one of my buddies at my first job, he was playing golf and he said, 'Hey, you want to come over?' I went one day, and I said, 'This is a slick sport, you know?' We made it a habit of going every Saturday morning, 5 o’clock."
Sahith Theegala's mother, Karuna, is incredible at cooking. The golfer's favorite delicacy is spiced turkey meatballs made by her. According to a PGA Tour article, when the tour's videographers visited Theegala's old home in Chino Hills, they were treated with curries and were sent home with leftovers.
Sahith Theegala only has amazing things to say about his parents. He said about his father:
"My dad just has this awesome trait where he makes everyone feel like they're his best friend and he just makes people feel good without being fake. He'll tell it to you straight when you need to. It's not about the B.S., but he's just such a positive guy,"
Theegala's parents have always been supportive of his sport. They are often in the stands cheering for him during his tournaments, including at the ongoing Tour Championship.