“I saw Tiger Woods” - Sahith Theegala’s father explains how the rookie golfer got into the sport young in Netflix’s Full Swing

Sahith Theegala shared details about his golfing journey in Episode 7 of the brand new Netflix docuseries, 'Full Swing'. The episode titled 'Golf is Hard', saw Theegala get accustomed to his new life in Houston, where he plays the PGA Tour.

In fact, the Netflix cameras are there when he throws his clothes in and hopes for the best. Before you proceed, this article might contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.

But in case you have already watched the episode and are dying to talk about how touching and inspiring it was, look nowhere else.

But that is not the only glimpse viewers are offered inside Sahith Theegala's golfing journey. Theegala was a child prodigy. He won the IMG Academy Junior World Championships at the ages of six, eight, and ten. As his junior career progressed, so did his family's inquiries.

He talked about this saying:

"As someone from the Indian culture, it was kind of new. My parents didn’t know how to deal with a kid like me who played a lot of sports because nobody in my family really played."

But his family watched him. Theegala's father, Murli, revealed that he was a golf fan because of Tiger Woods, and his son would watch the sport with him. Murli said:

"I was a big fan of golf because I saw Tiger Woods. Sahith would sit with me and watch it. I don’t know when he got interested, but one fine day when I said you want to go hit some balls, that’s when I found out, Oh, you really love that game."

This episode, like the previous ones, included childhood footage of Sahith Theegala. As a junior, his parents Murli and Koruna knew they would have to seek out the best resources and invest time and money to help him.

The footage of Theegala accepting his PGA Tour card came up as Murli said:

"It's all worth it."

---

"I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous" - Sahith Theegala

Sahith Theegala at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open - Final Round (Image via Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Sahith Theegala played at the WM Phoenix Open in 2022 on a sponsor exemption. He hit a 66-64-69 to take a one-shot lead on the final day. At the TPC Scottsdale, he was not only playing for his first PGA Tour title, he also featured in front of the largest and rowdiest galleries in golf.

The new Netflix docuseries, 'Full Swing' covered Theegala talking about it:

"I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous. My first time in any sort of spotlight in pro golf and what a place to do it."

Theegala hit the green on the 16th hole, tied for the lead with Patrick Cantlay, and made par. Then things got complicated. After a bad bounce in the fairway, Theegala's tee shot on the drivable par-4 17th hole trickled into the water hazard. He made a bogey, which he had to make up for with a birdie on the last hole.

The crowd began chanting:

"Theegala! Theegala!"

However, he missed chipping in on 18, settling for a par and missed making the cut for the playoffs with Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay.

Theegala began crying during his post-round press conference. As he exited his presser and walked outside, he fell into his parents' arms. Tears were still fresh in his eyes. It was such a heartwarming display of emotions.

The 25-year-old competed in his hometown event, The Genesis Invitational, the week after the WM Phoenix Open. He remembered going to Riviera Country Club as a kid to watch PGA Tour golf events and get autographs from his favorite players.

However, this time Sahith Theegala was the one giving autographs to children.

At the WM Phoenix Open, a young fan had told him that he cried while watching Theegala's final hole. He considered Theegala to be his hero.

It's such a moving and inspiring story to be captured on camera for millions of budding athletes to watch.