AUSTIN (Texas) — Wednesday’s match was a sort of reunion for Min Woo Lee & Sahith Theegala.
They were both 17-year-olds who, at the time, were playing on a course. In 2017, they were competing as amateurs at a junior event at Sahalee Country Club, Sammamish, Washington.
Theegala was a striking figure at the 6-3 and would go on to become a three-time All-American player at Pepperdine, where he won four tournaments as well as every award. Lee lost in a playoff in their only head-to-head matchup.
“Oh, that was a very long time ago. Lee laughed and said, “Thanks for reminding me.” “But I think this one was the most important.”
Lee, a 24-year old Australian, won with a 3-foot birdie at the 18th hole of the World Golf Championships -Dell Technologies Match Play. He has already won two on the DP World Tour. However, he is trying to get his PGA Tour card through Special Temporary Membership. This would allow him unlimited sponsor exemptions. He would be eligible for a five year membership to the Tour if he wins here.
Lee played a great round with his opponent, combining six birdies, two double bogeys and two eagles in what could have been the most exciting match of the day.
On a cloudy and muggy day, Theegala and he put on quite the show for their fans at Austin Country Club. Theegala and Lee were the second pairing of day, but they kept going back and forth until Lee birdied the final two holes.
Lee said, “It was a highlight-reel all day,” and is here competing for the second year straight after failing to make it out of group play 2022 with a 1-1-1 record.
It was.
These two won’t be forgotten. Theegala is now ranked No. 29 World ranking due to a tie for fourth at the Players Championship, following a 14th place finish at Bay Hill. He has also achieved two top 10s at both the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.
He is a solid player with great makeup and a proven track record. He appeared on Netflix’s “Full Swing” and could even pose as Tony Finau’s stunt double. He was the fifth person to win the Jack Nicklaus, Jack Hogan, and Haskins awards. There are probably many more he doesn’t remember.
Lee has already made a name for his self, even though he is writing off the name of his older sister, Minjee Lee. He is happy to ride Minjee Lee’s coattails. Lee has won two majors including the U.S. Women’s Open in 2022 and six other LPGA events. He tied for 14th in the Par 3 Contest. She was his caddie.
Lee stated Tuesday that she is a great golfer. “So, I feel like if i win an event — I guess that’s who has the last laugh. She has won a few majors in the past couple of years so I was able to win a tournament here to let her know something.”
Lee, who is the Tour’s longest driver, has what would be considered the top-five clubhead speed if he was to qualify on the PGA Tour. His aggressive style suits him well in match-play events. He enjoys taking risks, especially at the Dell, where match play isn’t as harsh as stroke-play events.
Round-robin pool allows golfers to play without worrying about the possibility of a terrible hole ruining their round. Lee’s double-bogey on Number. He twice hit trees on 9 and could have otherwise.
There were very few holes that were not good in this grouping. Both golfers never went more than 2 up throughout the day, as they traded punches all through. Lee stated that he has switched to a stiffer Blue Ventus shaft for his driver, which is “less whippier.”
Lee impressed with two eagles. One was from the fairway bunker at the par-5 12th hole, and the other was from the fairway bunker at the par-4 370 yard fifth hole. Lee then put together a soft-hit shot from 30 feet over two ridges to sink it for an incredible eagle.
Theegala lost his putter and the duo played some spectacular golf throughout the day.
Californian of Indian descent, the 25-year old Californian pushed a 5-footer over the hole on 17, which would have guaranteed him at least a tie. Then on 18 his tee shot missed the green and his second shot flew over the flag. He was left with a 17-foot return to secure a draw.
Theegala missed the cup by just a few inches. After the showdown, he looked depressed and refused to speak.
Both will be great players and have a lot to say over the next few years. These two are the next generation of young, talented golfers.
Theegala began playing golf at the age of three and was hooked on the television set while watching his father.
“Absolutely. Murli Theegala said that he would sit with me and enjoy watching golf. He was accompanied by Karuna, his wife. They followed their son through every emotion hole. He’s making steady and slow progress for me. He’s only his second year on Tour, and he needs to continue to improve to prove that he wasn’t lucky last year. You can’t control winning. It will happen, I am certain.”
Karuna repeated the words, “He’s right there.”
Lee is following the same path, even though he has been playing on DP World Tour. He hopes to get a spot in America as a Special Temporary Member to play full-time. He took the final spot to get into the Players field two weeks ago and tied for sixth. Theegala came in fourth, close behind.
Lee is on the right track. The 47th-ranked player, the slim, mustachioed, and tall player, had a decorated junior career, before turning professional in 2019. This includes the mano-a-mano match with Theegala at Sahalee, when Lee played the best round in a field of 66 players and was forced to play in a playoff.
Murli stated that “my boy had a huge lead over him.” He was ahead by six strokes, but shot a 78. Lee was 2 under to tie him but my boy shot a stunning shot to win.”
Six years later, Lee won a match at much higher stakes. This sets the stage for a Thursday game with Matt Fitzpatrick on Thursday. Fitzpatrick lost 5-3 to J.J. Spaun (54th seed) in the tournament’s Valero Texas Open championship. Lee has to be concerned that Fitzpatrick is seeking revenge after losing to Lee in the playoff for Abrdn Scotland Open 2021.
“I’ve been playing great for the past few months and I hope that I can keep it up. But I feel like I just started to learn how to play and which shots to hit. After that, you will need to take a few good breaks and maybe you’ll be able to hold a trophy at week’s end.
He believes a win is coming soon, possibly even Sunday.
Lee sighed and stated, “I feel close-ish.”
Theegala also knows this feeling.
