In a thrilling week of golf that witnessed Jake Knapp entering the annals of PGA Tour history with a record 15th sub-60 round and Dale Whitnell astounding audiences with not one, but two holes-in-ones at the DP World Tour, the spotlight invariably shifted to Shane Lowry’s Friday afternoon game at the PGA National. The moment, though less dramatic than its predecessors, carved a niche for itself in the annals of golf history.
In an unforgettable second round at the Cognizant Classic, Lowry, accompanied by his TGL counterpart Min Woo Lee, executed successive hole-outs. True to his style, Lowry punctuated the moment with a playful “Dr. Chipinski” act, provoking laughter from Lee and spectators alike. Indeed, the PGA Tour is not often graced with such moments of light-heartedness.
However, the jest and jibe directed at Lowry for his chip shots were met with his disapproval. He rebuked the ridicule, stating, “It’s quite disrespectful to emulate someone else’s celebration. But perhaps, we’ll have the last laugh.” This response followed Sahith Theegala’s birdie chip-in on the 12th hole, which guaranteed Los Angeles Golf Club’s 4-0 victory over The Bay Golf Club, escalating their lead to 4-3. Theegala’s subsequent jest and his ‘Celly’ phone act targeting Lowry was not well-received.
Addressing the post-round press conference, Theegala was questioned about his intentions behind the mockery. He candidly admitted, “It was a blend of jest and a bit more. I hold Min Woo in high regard. His contributions to golf are commendable and his persona, both on the field and social media, is enjoyable. The chants of “Min” and “Dr. Chipinsky” boost my spirits. I thought a friendly jab would motivate them. Collin followed suit when Tommy chipped in. When it’s a good friend, you can afford to tease a bit. It was all in good humor, albeit a tad harsh.”
Theegala’s stand was clear: jest at your opponents only if you can shoulder the ridicule in return.
Prior to the commencement of TGL, Shane Lowry had issued a warning to his opponents via Bay GC’s social media. Representing his team comprising Ludvig Åberg, Min Woo Lee, and Wyndham Clark, the Irishman boldly proclaimed their intent to challenge their rivals. However, in a humorous twist, he almost missed out on mentioning his complete team. The 2019 Open champion stated, “I eagerly anticipate our meeting in Florida. Beware, because Ludvig, Min Woo, Wyndham, and I are determined to win.”
As the video concluded with the Bay GC’s logo fading out, Lowry, in his characteristic amusing style, cursed, leaving audiences chuckling. To this, Theegala retorted, “If you’re going to engage in such antics, be prepared to face the music. We will retort in kind. This is all part of TGL’s fun quotient, something that’s tough to replicate in the weekly PGA TOUR.” Respect for Lowry notwithstanding, Theegala made it clear that they are all competitors at the end of the day, and no one likes to lose.
Theegala’s stance is clear – a playful jab at the opponent is all in good spirit. But what do you make of this incident? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!