2023 Zozo Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Narashino CC

Sahith Theegala showed well in his Zozo Championship debut in 2022. The American carded rounds of 71-67-63-67 to finish T-5th and just three shots back.

After a relatively slow start in round one at Narashino Country Club, Theegala tied for the low score over the final 54 holes. His 9-under third round featured a front-nine 7-under 29.

If coming back to Japan doesn’t bring him enough good vibes, he can just think back to his last start on the PGA Tour.

After so many close calls in his first few years as a pro, Theegala finally broke through to win in his home state at the Fortinet Championship. He posted scores of 68-64-67-68 to win by two over S.H. Kim and by four over Cameron Davis in third.

Theegala also beat out the likes of Justin Thomas, Max Homa, and Matt Kuchar in the top 10.

This was the third straight top-15 for the former Pepperdine Wave. Theegala had to be bummed not only for missing the Tour Championship by one spot, but also for not making the American Ryder Cup team. Not to say he was a snub, but I liked Theegala’s chances at earning one of the 12 spots heading into 2023.

Theegala finished the 2022-23 PGA Tour season ranked 32nd in Strokes Gained: Total (.788 per round). He can hit it all over the yard at times, but that just makes the game fun for Theegala.

He’s known for his creative recovery shots as well as his short game and putting. The 25-year-old ranked 21st in SG: Around-the-Green (.267) and 17th in SG: Putting (.485).