Imagine growing up with a name that sparks curiosity! He was just three when his father introduced him to golf. It was his father’s passion for golf that was driven by an old buddy of his. But it was the young fella who got more interested in golf than his father. As Murali’s buddy Ahluwalia puts it, “He was 3. I remember clearly the first time we took Sahith on a golf course, a nine-hole course in Cerritos. That’s the first time we saw him playing.” Theegala’s journey to golf stardom began with a unique blend of cultures and influences. But what about his ethnic background?

Sahith Theegala was born on December 4, 1997, in Orange, California. This makes the PGA Tour professional American by birth. His parents, Muralidhar and Karuna Theegala immigrated to the United States from the state of Hyderabad, India, making his ethnicity Indian. Although he grew up with American culture, Theegala proudly embraces his Indian roots.

“I’m definitely proud of my Indian heritage, and I hope I’m inspiring other Indian Americans and people in India to know they can compete in sports,” he once told Global Indian. He often showcases his cultural heritage on social media and shares pictures celebrating Indian festivals. He likes wearing traditional Indian dresses on birthdays and family functions. Above all, his father and mother played a significant role in shaping his ethnic identity. Their whole family regularly plans trips to visit India to connect with their roots.

He reflected on the profound impact his father has had on his life and golf journey as he told the PGA Tour media, “He put everything that he could into me. My mom, too, sacrificed so much for me, but my dad’s definitely the reason I’m playing professional golf today.” Indeed, the story of Theegala’s golf career is deeply intertwined with his family’s love and support.

Sahith Theegala’s golfing journey in a nutshell

Sahith Theegala’s path to golf stardom is a tale of hard work and dedication. He teed off in high school from Diamond Bar High School, California. It’s the same school from which prospects like Kevin Na have also emerged on the golf scene. Then after, he flourished at Pepperdine University. The 25-year-old earned three NCAA All-American titles during his collegiate career. In 2020, he became the 5th person ever to bag the prestigious Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award, and the Jack Nicklaus Award, all in the same year.

Before turning pro in 2020, Theegala had already made a name for himself on the golf scene. At just 19, he made a memorable debut at the 2017 Genesis Open and finished at T-49. Adding to that feat, he debuted in his first major the same year, the US Open at Erin Hills. Years of hard work and perseverance paid off in 2023, when he reaped his first PGA Tour title, the Fortinet Championship, with a two-stroke margin.

This triumph was a dream come true for the 1x PGA Tour winner. This achievement marked a milestone in his journey. But he gave all the credit to his mom and dad. He credited them, saying, “My dad’s the reason I’m here today; he and my mom did such a good job of learning how to almost hybrid parent between this Indian culture and American culture and let me play sports.”

With a strong sense of pride in his Indian heritage, Sahith Theegala’s story is a shining example of how cultural diversity can shape success. Share your thoughts on his cultural blend in the comments section below.