The 2023 Fortinet Championship has attracted considerable attention from the golf world. Not only because it was a chance for Ryder Cup players to brush up their skills but also because an unprecedented player emerged as the leader of the scoreboard. Showcasing his dominance over the course of the weekend, Sahith Theegala proved the proficiency of his skills.

This enabled the player to finally win over his curse on the PGA Tour since he entered the professional arena in 2020. However, when the 25-year-old managed to register his name as a $1.5M victor, the Ryder Cup player Max Homa sadly ended his two-year winning streak.

Sahith Theegala clinches his first PGA Tour victory

The final round of the $8.4 million event has concluded with a bang! The 2023 Fortinet Championship received its winner in the form of emerging talent Sahith Theegala, who had been trying to set his foot right on the greens for some time now. The California native managed to surpass all the golfers and finish at a satisfactory 21-under 267 on Sunday.

The grounds at Silverado Golf Course witnessed the golfer executing three birdies in the first five holes of the last round. The anticipation of the victory was already built, thanks to the two-shot lead the professional hosted a day prior. Despite a bogey on the last hole, Theegala managed to grab a two-shot victory over Kim Seong-hyeon.

This was his third attempt at trying to convert a set lead into a triumph. Prior to the successful title grab, the golfer had missed out on a couple of chances of turning his 54-hole leads into victories during his rookie season. The highly awaited achievement of the golf star was in front of an audience filled with his friends and family, including his dad Murali.

The contentment was clearly visible on the face of his well-wishers once he claimed a 20-foot birdie on the 14th hole. Their expressions made it hard for even the broadcasters to shift their attention from them, especially looking at the proud gleam in his father’s eyes. The chants soon started to pour in near the 17th hole, with everyone around shouting “Thee-ga-la” repeatedly.

While the lack of bogeys in his sets might represent an easy win, the viewers across the week would narrate an opposite story. The golfer missed almost 50 percent of his fairways but claimed back the control with recovery shots. This allowed him to stand second even in the field in strokes gained around the greens.

Also Read: Ahead of the Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy Divulges the ‘Inevitable’ Unticked Box of His Game

As Theegala basked in his victory, many on the field probably were reminded of the saying: ‘One man’s loss is another man’s gain.’ The reason being where the new victor was welcomed by the California greens, the Fortinet Championship saw its defending champion of two years miss out on grabbing the title for the third time.

Despite a satisfactory finish, Max Homa loses on a three-peat

On one hand, the greens in Northern California were soaring with cheers for the young winner, Sahith Theegala. On the other hand, there was diaphanous dejection surrounding the 6-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa. The American native entered the tournament with two big responsibilities.

First, to refine his form before the Ryder Cup. Second, to defend his title at the $8.4 million event. Alas! The latter was not on the cards for Homa. He managed to finish at T7 with two other golfers. This allowed the golfer to finish eight strokes behind Theegala.

However, despite an end to his hot fall streak, Homa’s eyes would probably be set on the upcoming biennial event. Not only him but fans also have a competitive yet exciting event to look forward to next week. With that, what do you think of this commanding victory of Sahith Theegala? Share your views in the comments.

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