Sahith Theegala explains the two-stroke penalty that he called on himself: “I wouldn’t be able to sleep”

Sahith Theegala’s performance at the Tour Championship was nothing short of impressive, but it was his integrity on the course that left a lasting impression. During the third round of the tournament, Theegala found himself in a situation that would test not just his skill but his moral compass.

On the third hole at East Lake, his ball landed in a fairway bunker, leading to a sequence of events that would ultimately cost him two strokes and a potential leap in earnings.

As Sahith Theegala prepared to take his shot from the bunker, he noticed something unusual during his backswing—he might have moved some grains of sand. It was a minor infraction that no one else noticed, but it gnawed at Theegala. Rather than letting it slide, he did something that few might have done in such a high-stakes scenario: he called a penalty on himself.

A Costly Call with High Stakes for Sahith Theegala 

“Oh, I wouldn’t be able to sleep,” Sahith Theegala explained after the round, reflecting on the internal struggle that led to his decision. “I was describing the situation—no matter what the outcome was, I needed to know what the actual rule was.”

He went on to elaborate that even though he and his playing partner, Xander Schauffele, initially thought the situation was insignificant, it didn’t sit right with him.

Theegala’s awareness of the rules and his own integrity were at the forefront of his mind.

“If I went back after the round, looked that up, and found out that it was a two-shot penalty, I would be DQ’d (disqualified) right now,” he continued. “So I am glad I brought it up right away.”

The rules official, upon being summoned, confirmed that Sahith Theegala had indeed violated Rule 12.2b(1), which states that a player must not touch sand in the bunker with their club in the area right in front of or right behind the ball.

This rule applies even if the infraction was accidental and did not improve the lie. Despite the lack of clear evidence from television replays, Theegala’s intuition led him to believe he had brushed the sand, resulting in a two-stroke penalty.

“At the end of the day, I’ve played so much golf,” Sahith Theegala said. “You kind of just trust your intuition and gut, and right away I thought I moved some sand there.”

His honesty, while costly, exemplified the spirit of golf, a sport often regarded for its emphasis on integrity and self-regulation.

Despite the setback, Sahith Theegala demonstrated resilience throughout the remainder of the Tour Championship. After incurring the penalty, he went on to deliver a stellar performance, carding a 5-under 66, which catapulted him to third place on the leaderboard. His impressive back-nine performance, where he notched birdies on six of the final eight holes, showcased his ability to stay focused and competitive even after a significant setback.

In the end, Theegala finished third in the FedEx Cup standings, just behind Collin Morikawa and winner Scottie Scheffler. While the two-stroke penalty undoubtedly impacted his final standing, Theegala’s actions gained him widespread respect. He walked away with $7.5 million in bonus money—less than what he could have earned without the penalty, but with his head held high.

Sahith Theegala’s decision to call a penalty on himself during such a crucial moment in the Tour Championship serves as a powerful reminder of the values that underpin the game of golf. In a sport where players are often their own referees, Theegala’s actions resonated deeply within the golf community. 

His choice may have cost him financially, but it earned him something far more valuable: the respect and admiration of fans, fellow players, and the broader sporting world.

As he reflected on the incident, Theegala remained at peace with his decision. “I’m still going to sleep great,” he said. “Whatever, two shots, I feel good about it. I think it was a penalty. I think I moved sand. Just a weird situation.”

In the grand tradition of golfers like Bobby Jones, who famously called a penalty on himself in the 1925 U.S. Open, Sahith Theegala’s actions at East Lake will be remembered as a shining example of integrity in sports.