Sep 12 – Returning to Napa, California for this year’s Procore Championship is special for California native Sahith Theegala.
As the defending champions of this competition, it’s even sweeter.
Thigala will join 29 competitors at Silverado Country Club on Thursday for the inaugural four-day tournament with a $6 million prize pool in pursuit of a second consecutive Procore Championship.
“I know it’s going to be a really interesting week because a lot of my family is going to be here, a lot of my friends are going to be here, a lot of my girlfriend’s friends and family are going to be here, and it’s really going to be a fun time,” Segarra said Wednesday.
“…It feels like a second home coming here. Yeah, it’s a great atmosphere, definitely a very relaxing, quiet weekend night.”
Tigala, who plays about 450 miles north of his hometown of Orange, shot 21-under 267 to win by two strokes at last year’s event, then known as the Fortnite Championship. It was the 26-year-old’s only PGA Tour win since his debut in 2020.
Tigara, who will be participating in the event for the fifth time, said it had become a favourite of his even before he won last year.
“I think it’s a really cool and unique place to visit. We’re far from any big cities and feel isolated,” he said. “The people who come here are real golf fans. It’s great to see so many people here because it’s not an easy place to get to.”
Thigala also noted the challenges inherent in the par-72, 7,123-yard course. He recalled the struggles he had off the tee during last year’s tournament and said he would use a 3-iron if similar problems crop up this year.
He said, “I remember there were times when I was in the trees and made big mistakes… I’ve played this course a lot, so I think I know where the big mistakes can happen.”
“…To win, you need one or two good breaks. If you’re not the world champion, I think you need a bit of luck to make your way. That’s what happened for me (last year).”
Tigala has finished in the top 10 eight times in 24 starts this year, including two second-place finishes. Earlier this month, he tied for third at the Tour Championship, although he lost two strokes due to a self-reported penalty.
The Procore Championship begins the fall season of the FedEx Cup, an eight-round tournament that allows golfers to earn their PGA Tour card for the following season.
——Visual-level media
