Sahith Theegala makes Genesis Open Cut
Sahith Theegala
(Golfweek Photo)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA (February 18, 2017) -- Playing in his first career PGA Tour event Sahith Theegala returned to the course early Saturday morning and finished the final eight holes of his Genesis Open second round. After nearly three inches of rain fell at Riviera Country Club overnight, Theegala played 1-over golf to the house and ended his second round at 2-under to make the cut.
After winning the Collegiate Showcase on Monday Theegala became the second of three showcase winners to make the 36-hole joining Charlie Danielson of Illinois who made the cut last year.
“It’s extremely exciting to know that I have two more competitive rounds out here in tournament conditions,” Theegala told Golfweek.
By making it through to the weekend Theegala also gets two more rounds at the site of this years U.S. Amateur.
“Not many people in the US Amateur will be able to say they have that (experience of playing competitive rounds). And since our team plays Bel-Air (host of the other stroke play round), I’m definitely going to have a great mindset going into that.”
Second round play was originally scheduled to resume at 7:00 a.m. PST but due to course maintenance the start time was pushed back to 9:00 a.m.
-Golfweek contributed to this story
FRIDAY RECAP
More golf was played on Friday at the Genesis Open then anticipated but eventually the forecasted heavy rains and wind came forcing play at Riviera Country Club to be called for the day at 12:18 p.m. PST. Among those out on the course when play was halted was Sahith Theegala.
The Pepperdine sophomore was able to complete 11 holes in his second round before the horn sounded suspending play for the day. Theegala, 3-under, will have to be back in position at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning for the scheduled restart of play.
So far in the second round Theegala is 1-over after carding a lone bogey on the par-4 7th hole. Throughout much of the round Theegala battled rain and winds blowing at roughly 20 mph.
Theegala's week at Riviera Country Club is turning into a long one as he has found himself on the wrong side of the draw. After qualifying Monday with his win in the Collegiate Showcase, Theegala's first round was suspended after just 12 holes due to darkness and now if he makes the cut he will looking at another long day of work on Saturday.
However, the starts and stops haven't fazed Theegala a bit as evidence by his 4-under 68 in the first round and steady play in the second round thus far.
With seven holes remaining in his second Theegala, playing in his first PGA Tour event, currently sits comfortably inside the even-par cut line.