WM PHOENIX OPEN

February 13, 2022

Sahith Theegala

TPC Scottsdale

Quick Quotes

Q. Emotions right now? More proud of the way you hung in there or disappointed with the finish?

SAHITH THEEGALA: A little bit of both, sure. I thought I -- sorry. I thought I hit a great shot on 17. It was cutting. As long as it's another yard right, I think that's perfect. Kick straight and it's good. Kicked left into the water there.

Then I was worried about the ball -- it was such a steep slope, I was worried about the ball kind of rolling back, so I maybe rushed my process just a little bit there and hit a poor chip and hit a poor putt. I just didn't hit the shots at the right time when it counted.

But definitely proud of the way I played this week.

Q. How did today compare to what you were expecting as far as emotionally?

SAHITH THEEGALA: Yeah, it was a lot. I mean, there were so many different emotions to take in. I feel like me and my caddie Carl did a really good job of kind of using the adrenaline properly and just trying to enjoy every moment of it. It was a lot of fun out there today for sure.

Q. They seemed to be rooting for you, chanting "Thee-ga-la" every day.

SAHITH THEEGALA: It was really cool. Yeah, the last three holes I got so much support, 16 and 17 there and even 18 cheering my name. It's really cool.

Q. Tons of family and friends out there supporting you all week. The group just grew as the week went on. What does that mean to you?

SAHITH THEEGALA: Yeah, it means a lot. That's awesome that they feel like I'm somebody they can root for. Yeah, it means a lot to me, and hopefully I can keep being someone that they can root for.

Q. Yesterday you said you hadn't yet thought about what this meant for your family and for your career going forward. I guess now that it's over, what are your thoughts there?

SAHITH THEEGALA: Yeah, obviously just came off the course, so not really sure what to think. Going to go give my family a big hug and tell them thanks and all that, but obviously really excited about next week, getting a spot to my hometown event. I can't wait for that one.

But yeah, I think I'll have plenty of time to think about it on my drive back home, but definitely excited for what the rest of the year holds.

Q. You mentioned that you were a little bit star struck this week, but playing as well as you did and in that kind of a raucous atmosphere, do you feel like if you can handle that, you can kind of handle just about anything?

SAHITH THEEGALA: Yeah, it sure seems like it. I don't think there's going to be another week where you're going to have all these fans -- I mean, I loved it. It was awesome. I think from here on out, it makes everything else feel a little bit easier to focus and concentrate.

I'll miss some of the loud cheers for sure. I'll definitely miss that. But yeah, if we could focus this week, I think the rest of the weeks are going to feel a little bit easier.

Q. What were your thoughts when you saw your brother?

SAHITH THEEGALA: Oh, I was so surprised. I couldn't believe it. He talked about he was going to fly out to Sanderson that final day. I was like, Dude, don't worry, you just started school, the weather is horrible; don't worry about it. I'm sure there will be another time.

That meant the world to me that he would come out, the middle of the school year on a Sunday. He's going to have to go back and go to school. That's incredible that he did that. It means the world to me.

Q. How do you feel you handled the adrenaline rush today versus Sanderson Farms?

SAHITH THEEGALA: So much better. So much better. I actually got off to a great start on the front nine at Sanderson, too, and just hit two bad 7-irons in a row that kind of cost me the tournament there. In this round I really felt like I stuck with it. The last couple games I just didn't have my game with my ball-striking. I drove it really poorly, and I had very -- I felt like I had very few opportunities to score. The rest of my game felt great.

I think I got a lot out of what I was working with these last two days.