The 2024 PGA Tour season came to a dramatic close at East Lake Golf Club, where Scottie Scheffler secured the FedEx Cup and a massive $25 million prize. While Scheffler’s historic seventh win of the year dominated headlines, another story emerged involving Sahith Theegala’s remarkable act of sportsmanship, which cost him a substantial $2.5 million.
The Costly Penalty
During Saturday’s round, Theegala called a two-shot penalty on himself after he believed he had grounded his club in a fairway bunker on the third hole. Remarkably, the infraction went unnoticed by everyone, including the cameras. However, Theegala, upon noticing a small amount of sand move on his backswing, immediately notified his playing partner Xander Schauffele and a rules official. The penalty resulted in a double bogey on the hole.
“I wouldn’t be able to sleep [if I didn’t call the penalty],” Theegala said after his round.
Despite the setback, Theegala displayed resilience, recording seven birdies on the back nine, including five consecutive birdies to close out his day, finishing at 17-under for the week and moving into solo third place.
The Final Round
On Sunday, Theegala continued his strong play, carding a 7-under 64 with four birdies on the front nine and two more to close out the round. He finished the tournament at 24-under, securing third place and earning a $7.5 million paycheck. However, without the penalty, Theegala would have tied for second with Collin Morikawa, which would have netted him $10 million.
In total, Theegala’s self-imposed penalty cost him $2.5 million.
A Season of Integrity
While the penalty was costly, Theegala’s integrity and adherence to the rules earned him admiration from fans and peers alike. His solo third-place finish at East Lake marked his eighth top-10 finish of the season, adding to his impressive career trajectory. Theegala, who won his first Tour event last season at the Fortinet Championship, will also represent the United States in the upcoming Presidents Cup.
Although he walked away with less money, Theegala’s decision to call the penalty on himself left him with a clear conscience and likely won him many new fans. His sportsmanship serves as a reminder of the values that the game of golf embodies.