Sahith Theegala says that Scottie Scheffler’s current run of form is “pretty epic” and the current world number one is on the cusp of doing something really special if he continues his period of dominance.
Scheffler is chasing his fourth win of the 2024 PGA TOUR season and is also looking to become the first player since Bernhard Langer in 1985 has a Masters champion won the following week on the PGA TOUR at Harbour Town Golf Links. The only other Masters champion to win the next week was Gary Player in 1978 at the Tournament of Champions.
Theegala who trails Scheffler by three shots heading into the final round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links lauded Scheffler’s recent run of form.
“It’s pretty epic. I was talking to Carl, my caddie, walking to 15 tee box. I was like, I grew up watching the end of Tiger, got to see Rory, DJ, Jordan, like all these guys kind of dominate for a period of time, and I was like, we could be in the midst of something really, really special, and I just thought it was cool.
“Played behind him every day so far. He’ll be behind me tomorrow. I just think it’s cool. It’s got to be annoying for some of the guys, but I love it. I still think I have a way to go to really prove myself that I am, I would say, a top-15, -10 player in the world. I haven’t gotten to that point quite yet. I’m not annoyed, I’m just kind of sitting back, and it’s honestly really cool to see. It’s really cool to see.
“It gives us something to strive for.”
The pair played with each other during their college days and Theegala feels Scheffler is a brilliant role model as world number one as well as a golfer.
“I played with him in a tournament in Waco, Texas, call the Starburst. I can’t remember if there was a third in our group, but my dad and Scottie’s dad were both caddying for us, and he probably beat me by like eight or nine.
“It’s funny because Scottie was pretty self-deprecating about his round, and then Scott, his dad, was kind of making fun of him. It was really funny. Ever since then — he’s a year ahead of me in school and played with him most of my life. Actually didn’t play in the same group as him much, but just playing a lot of tournaments with him. I don’t actually know if I beat him in any junior or college tournaments. At least I’ve beat him in a pro event before. I’ve got that.
“But yeah, I’ve played with him my whole life. He’s been a great player the whole time, and he’s been a great dude the whole time, too. He doesn’t have to go talk to me, for instance, and he’s always been super nice. Couldn’t be a better World No. 1, I think.”
Theegala faces the daunting task of trying to track down Scheffler today who has not dropped a shot since a double bogey on hole 2 in round one.
“I think kind of like I said, once I tee it up on the first tee, you don’t really even think about who you’re going up against to a certain degree. You already know what you’re going up against when you tee off, so when you’re out there it’s just trying to hit the best shot on every shot and trying to play each hole how it’s meant to be played.
“At least for me, I feel like it’s pretty easy when I get on the course. I don’t really think about the guys in front of me on the leaderboard or anything. I just want to do my job, and if I happen to be in contention come the last few holes on the back nine, that’s when I try and step it up and ramp it up.”
Leave a comment