Sahith Theegala's spectacular finish secures one-shot lead at PGA Tour season opener
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 January 2024
Sahith Theegala surged ahead with seven birdies in his last nine holes to claim a one-shot lead as the PGA Tour season kicked off in Hawaii.
The American's nine-under-par 64 in The Sentry event leads a group of five players, including major champions Collin Morikawa and Jason Day, plus FedEx champion Viktor Hovland.
Reflecting on his round, Theegala said his favourite birdie of the round came at the 12th.
"Just because I hit a great drive, just hit it in the greenside bunker there," he said. "Didn't hit a great bunker shot and I had a really gnarly eight- or nine-footer that I didn't know which way it was going to break -- grain was going all over the place.
"I just aimed it dead center and tried to hit it hard and hearted that putt."
Colombia's Camillo Villegas and South Korean Sungjae Im are also on eight under, with world number one Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth among those a shot further adrift.
On a day of low scoring, Theegala reached the turn at three-under-par before six consecutive birdies catapulted him into the last – another at the last, giving him the top spot on his own after a bogey at the 16th.
Morikawa made six birdies and an eagle in his 65, while Hovland birdied seven of his last 10 holes.
Matt Wallace was the top English performer in the 59-strong field – made up of last year's PGA Tour winners and top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings – with a 68, one better than Tyrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Tommy Fleetwood opened with a 70, while Justin Rose came home in 31 after going out in 40 to be two under.
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