Sahith Theegala breaks down his strong opening round at the Baycurrent Classic, hitting the ball solidly all day despite tough, windy conditions and tricky pins. The American praises the new venue’s pure greens and Zoysia fairways, calling it “a great, fun test.” Theegala shares why Japan is one of his favorite stops on TOUR — from the respectful fans to his love of Japanese food — and talks about having his close friend Zach caddying while his regular caddie Carl enjoys his honeymoon. Off the course, Theegala’s been exploring Tokyo and Yokohama, soaking in every moment of his return to Japan.
All right, nice playing out there. Can you just assess your round? Yeah. Um, played really well. Um, hit the ball great from the start of the day all the way to the end. Um, it was tough to hit anything close today. Pins were great pins for the conditions. I thought the setup was awesome with considering the wind. Um, very fair. Definitely a lot of scoring opportunities, but also just really hard to make putts and I just didn’t make didn’t make anything. Uh, made one of the last I shouldn’t say that but uh hit the ball so so nicely. I’m really happy with the way that’s been going. Um Napo was probably my first full strength tournament back so hit the ball great there well as well. So just got to keep doing what I’m doing and and I know the putts will fall eventually. So um but yeah just it’s been awesome to get back and and uh just feel good again. Awesome. And new venue this year. Yeah. Um can we just get your thoughts on how it was out there? first competitive round under your belt. Yeah, really, really cool spot. Uh, different than Narino for sure. I think this is a lot shorter. Um, at first look, felt a lot easier. Um, but you can get some really tricky pins out here. I think if the rain stays away, if the greens get a little firmer, I can definitely see some tough scoring out there. Um, I do think if the green stays soft, um, it’s very doable to to shoot low out there, but it will penalize bad shots and I think it’s a great venue. Um, it’s it’s actually tough to gauge what the actual scoring is going to be like, but um, the greens are super pure. Fairways are I think they’re all Zoya, so it’s as pure as it gets. Um, really cool golf course. And you’ve played in Japan for the last few years. What about this event do you really love that makes you keep coming back? Yeah, it’s got to be one of my favorite events of the year. I just love the Japanese people and the fans. I feel so welcomed every year. Uh it’s my favorite food in the world. Like I just love Japanese food. I could eat it every single day. So just that combination. Um most respectful fans. Um see the same people every year uh in the crowd which is awesome. But it’s such a treat honestly coming out and playing. We don’t do a lot of international stuff so this is one that is always just super super fun. Uh doesn’t feel like any stress. Um, but yeah, it’s just it’s just a very unique tournament and and I love playing in front of the the Japanese fans. Carl just got married. Everybody Zack on the back like battling the wind with him today. Yeah, he’s man, Zach’s the man. Obviously really miss Carl and he’ll be back on the back in a couple weeks, but um let him enjoy his honeymoon. But yeah, it was awesome having Zach on the back. He’s he’s one of my best friends and um it’s it was a great he’s a great combo of he’s cattied before for me especially for you know almost the whole corn for a year uh six or seven months and then um he was also a great player and a great friend. So he has a similar blend of um I don’t want to say skill set but just kind of a similar feel to Carl on the bag for me. So super comfortable with him. We’re we’re having a great time off the golf course. It’s his first time in Japan. So, um yeah, obviously definitely miss Carl, but uh Zach’s the man and and we’re gonna have a good time regardless. And um just brings a little bit of a different style I I I feel like, but um yeah, feel comfortable. I think the first day we really made sure during the practice rounds that we ironed out a few things and and now he’s the man. He’s been so on top of it. What have you been able to do outside of the golf course as this tour guide? Yeah. Yeah. Um nothing crazy. Uh, we had a night in Yokohama, went to like a carnival, went to the Landmark Mall, already had ramen, sushi, whatever it is. We went to Shibuya yesterday. Um, we’re going to try and go into Tokyo a few more times to see the other touristy spots, I guess, like the Suki Market and um, Rapongi, all those places. So, we’re going to try and touch as much as we can. We’re staying two extra days after. We’re not leaving till Tuesday night. So, uh, we don’t even have any plans. So, we’ll just go see what’s out there. I think maybe do the temples. Uh, I forgot what it’s called. Aasuka, maybe some the temple in in downtown, too. So, we have some stuff planned. Thank you, Sonic. Of course. Makes sense.
