FILE PHOTO: Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 12, 2024 Sahith Theegala of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the 4th hole during the second round REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Returning to Napa, Calif., for this year's Procore Championship was special enough for California native Sahith Theegala.
Being the event's defending champion makes it even sweeter.
Theegala will go for his second straight Procore Championship title when he and 29 fellow competitors tee off Thursday at Silverado Country Club to open the four-day tournament with a $6 million purse.
"I just know it's going to be a super fun week because a lot of my family really makes an effort to come up here, a lot of my friends come up, a lot of my girlfriend's friends will be here, and family. It will just be a really fun time," Theegala said Wednesday.
" ... Feels like a second home being here. Yeah, just good vibes and just a very relaxed, chill week for sure."
Playing roughly 450 miles north of his hometown Orange, Theegala posted a 21-under 267 to win by two strokes at last year's event, known then as the Fortinet Championship. It remains the 26-year-old's lone PGA Tour victory since debuting in 2020.
Theegala will make his fifth appearance at a tournament he said became one of his favorites even before last year's victory.
"I think it's such a cool and unique spot on the Tour. We're pretty far from any big city and feel secluded in a good way," he said. "The people that come out are true golf fans. It's pretty cool to see the amount of turnout out here because it's not easy to get to."
Theegala is also wary of the challenges embedded within the par-72, 7,123-yard course. He recalls struggling off the tee at last year's event and hinted he'll resort to his 3-iron if similar issues arise this year.
"I just remember being in the trees a lot and big misses, too. ... I've played this course so many times, I feel like I know where you can miss it big," he said.
" ... You need a good break or two to win. If you're not a super world beater, I think you need a little bit of luck to go your way. It did for me (last year)."
Theegala has placed in the top 10 in eight of his 24 events this year, including a pair of second-place finishes. He placed third at the Tour Championship earlier this month despite forfeiting two strokes on a self-reported penalty.
The Procore Championship kicks off the FedEx Cup Fall slate, an eight-event stretch for golfers to secure PGA Tour cards for next season.
--Field Level Media
