SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Sahith Theegala is ranked No. 22 in the Official World Golf Ranking but he may be more proud of his chess ranking.
“I’m at my all-time Blitz rating right now. Like, I don’t want to play, because I know I’m going to drop a bunch,” he said.
Theegala’s golf ranking may surge to a new high – his best is No. 18 – if he keeps playing like he did Thursday during the first round of the WM Phoenix Open. Theegala posted 6-under 65 at TPC Scottsdale to grab a two-stroke lead over Shane Lowry and S.H. Kim among the finishers before play was suspended due to darkness at 6:10 p.m. local time (8:10 p.m. ET).
“It’s not often where kind of every part of the game actually kind of clicks during the course of the round,” Theegala said. “It felt like through the bag I did something good with every club.”
Theegala birdied six of his first 13 holes, including a pitch-in for birdie at No. 2.
“I tried to fly it pretty close to the hole and nip it,” Theegala explained. “I didn’t hit it incredibly, so it landed on the down slope and got there. So, it was a great scenario into the wind and it’s always nice to see it drop.”
Theegala made his lone bogey of the day at No. 5 right before play was suspended due to unplayable conditions.
“I was relieved when the horn blew, yes,” said Theegala, who enjoyed lunch with his parents and played some chess puzzles during the break and then made birdie at No. 6 when play resumed.
“Really happy with the start,” he said. “I played great and that’s all I can do, really.”
Here are four more things to know from the first round of the WM Phoenix Open.