Sahith Theegala shows True Colour by Upholding Golf integrity

Title: Sahith Theegala’s Costly Error Upholds Golf’s Integrity

In one of the most lucrative events in world golf, the Tour Championship, American golfer Sahith Theegala faced a moment that would test his integrity and cost him millions. During the third round, Theegala made a careless error on the par-four third hole at East Lake. While attempting to play out of a fairway bunker, he inadvertently brushed the sand during his backswing. This small mistake went unnoticed by everyone—except Theegala himself.

Aware of his breach, Theegala immediately self-reported the incident to tournament officials, resulting in a two-stroke penalty and a double bogey on the hole. Theegala’s honesty cost him dearly. By the end of the tournament, he finished just two strokes behind second-place finisher Collin Morikawa. Had he not reported the infringement, Theegala would have tied for second place, which carried a prize of $10 million (A$14.75 million). Instead, he settled for third place and $7.5 million (A$11 million), a significant sum but one that came with a painful loss of nearly A$3.75 million.

Despite the financial blow, Theegala’s act of sportsmanship was widely celebrated. Fans praised him for upholding the values of honesty and integrity in the game, further endearing him to the golfing community. His actions drew a sharp contrast with those of Patrick Reed, a golfer often labeled as a “villain” in the sport.

In 2019, Reed was involved in a similar incident at a tournament in the Bahamas, where he was penalized two strokes for moving sand behind his ball during practice swings. Unlike Theegala, Reed did not self-report the infringement; it was noticed by others and led to a penalty. Reed’s actions at the time were heavily criticized, and the comparison between his behavior and Theegala’s only served to highlight the latter’s integrity.

Reflecting on the incident, Theegala explained his decision to report the infraction. “Your intuition as a golfer is very rarely wrong,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t address it.” He described how, even though he and fellow golfer Xander Schauffele initially thought the infraction was minor and didn’t require action, he ultimately felt compelled to seek clarification from a rules official.

Theegala’s actions reinforce the importance of integrity in golf, a sport that places a high value on self-regulation and honesty. His decision, though costly, has solidified his reputation as a player who respects the game’s traditions and ethics, providing a powerful example for others to follow.