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Key Points

Sahith Theegala hopes to overcome a neck injury ahead of the PGA Championship, where he’ll face a stacked field including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. The event features 99 of the world’s top 100 players, with Jordan Spieth aiming to complete his career Grand Slam. Indian-American stars Akshay Bhatia and Aaron Rai add diversity to the competition at Quail Hollow. McIlroy enters fresh off his Masters triumph, while Scheffler remains the favorite after a dominant season start.

Key Points: Sahith Theegala Battles Neck Strain Ahead of Star-Studded PGA Championship

  • Theegala withdrew from Truist Championship due to neck strain
  • Field includes McIlroy, Scheffler, and 99 top-ranked players
  • Spieth eyes career Grand Slam with PGA win
  • Bhatia and Rai represent Indian diaspora in strong lineup
3 min read

Theegala hopes to recover from neck strain ahead of PGA; field includes 99 of world's top 100 players

Theegala aims to recover from injury as 99 of the world's top 100 golfers, including McIlroy and Scheffler, compete at Quail Hollow.

"Theegala received physical therapy before leaving the event – PGA Release"

North Carolina, May 15

Sahith Theegala will have some great company in Sepp Straka in the opening round of the 107th PGA Championship, but he also has some worries hanging around his neck, as per a release from PGA.

Theegala, who has grown into one of the top global stars, will play with the winner of last week's signature event, the Truist Championship, where the Indian-American had to withdraw after three rounds because of a neck strain that saw him shoot 78 in the third round.

Theegala will wait and see how his neck has progressed as he plays with Straka and Max McGreevy.

Another Indian-American Akshay Bhatia is trending well with a third place in Players to his name this season. Bhatia, who on the eve of the Masters signed up with Hero from India, from where his parents originally came, is drawn to plays alongside Denny McCarthy and Sam Burns.

Aaron Rai, an Indo-British player, will tee up alongside Joe Highsmith and Cameron Young.

Playing at Truist, Theegala withdrew from the event last week, citing a neck injury. The event did not have any cut, but Theegala, who opened with rounds of 69 and 71 carded four bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey in the third round at the Philadelphia Cricket Club's Wissahickon Course. Theegala received some physical therapy before leaving the event.

After Rory McIlroy, a two-time PGA Championships winner in 2012 and 2014, completed the career Grand Slam in April at the Masters, there is a lot of focus on Jordan Spieth, who needs only PGA Championship to do the same. Spieth has won the Masters and the US Open in 2015 and added the Open in 2017. Since then he has been looking to add the PGA Championship to complete a Career Slam, which McIlroy did last month.

The big marquee pairings will see Masters champion Rory McIlroy alongside Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele, while the two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas plays with Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa.

The PGA Championship, the second major championship of the season, returns to the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Picking up his first win of the season in dominating fashion two weeks ago at TPC Craig Ranch at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, Scottie Scheffler is a big favourite even ahead of McIlroy.

The field this week has 99 of the Top-100 with only Billy Horschel missing out due to hip surgery.

Scheffler, a two-time major championship winner, makes his sixth visit to the PGA Championship. He owns four top-10s in his first five appearances, highlighted by sharing second at Oak Hill Country Club in 2023.

McIlroy's victory at the Masters was his third win of 2025, the most on TOUR.

Also in the fray will be the U.S. Open winner in 2024 and 2020, Bryson DeChambeau. Halfway to the career Grand Slam is Jon Rahm who has wins at the Masters and U.S. Open champion.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajiv K.
Rooting for Theegala and Bhatia to make India proud! 🇮🇳 Hope Theegala's neck recovers in time - injuries are the worst when you're in top form. The way Indian-origin players are shining globally makes me want to pick up golf clubs myself!
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Priya M.
So exciting to see multiple players of Indian heritage competing at this level! Though I wish the media would stop calling them "Indian-American" every single time - they're American golfers who happen to have Indian roots. Let's appreciate their skills first.
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Arjun S.
Theegala's withdrawal last week was worrying. Neck injuries can be tricky - hope he gets proper ayurvedic massage therapy along with western treatment. Interesting to see Hero sponsoring Bhatia - Indian brands supporting diaspora talent is a smart move.
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Sunita R.
While I'm happy for these players, I wish India could produce homegrown golf champions too. Our sports system focuses too much on cricket. With proper infrastructure and training, we can have our own Tiger Woods someday! 🏌️‍♀️
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Vikram J.
That triple bogey in the third round must have been painful, both physically and mentally. Shows even top players have bad days. Respect to Theegala for listening to his body and withdrawing rather than risking long-term damage. Health first, tournaments later!
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Neha P.
Golf needs more diversity and these Indian-origin players are breaking barriers. Though I wonder - will we ever see a PGA tournament in India? Our courses are world-class but the sport still feels too elite here. More accessibility could create future champions.

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