PGA Championship Loses One of PGA Tour's Best Citing Injury
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The PGA Championship is less than 24 hours away and storylines are aplenty. Sadly, not all 156 entrants will be able to participate in the 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, though.
Sahith Theegala will no longer compete in this year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
The PGA Tour Communications team posted that he withdrew with a neck injury. Alex Smalley will replace him.
Sahith Theegala WD from the PGA Championship with a neck injury; Alex Smalley in. — PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 14, 2025
This injury is the same one that forced him to withdraw on Sunday at the Truist Championship in Philadelphia last week.
Theegala opened with a 69 and 71 at Philadelphia Cricket Club before he vaulted down the leaderboard on Saturday with an 8-over 78. It was not a good day for the No. 31 player in the world as he opened with a birdie and recorded four bogeys, a double and triple bogey before he ultimately chose to withdraw.
It has been an up-and-down season for Theegala.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: A detailed view of shoes worn by Sahith Theegala of the United States on the fifth green during the second round of the RBC Heritage 2025 at...
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: A detailed view of shoes worn by Sahith Theegala of the United States on the fifth green during the second round of the RBC Heritage 2025 at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 18, 2025 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) More
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
The 27-year-old has only missed one cut this year in 14 starts. However, he only has two top 25 finishes.
His best tournament this year was the Genesis Invitational, when he finished T17. At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he and his partner, Aaron Rai, were T18.
Theegala also recorded a T29 at The Masters, marking his third-best tournament of the year.
While he has only missed one cut, the Pepperdine golfer has not been good from tee to green. Theegala ranks 149th in strokes gained tee to green, 134th in strokes gained off the tee and 149th in approach to the green.
His best strokes gained statistic is on the greens as he ranks 96th on Tour.
Whatever is going on has caused him to go from one of the top 50 guys in most stat categories to one of the worst in less than a year.
Theegala is not the only guy to withdraw this week with an injury. Billy Horschel did because he will have to have hip surgery. Now the PGA Championship has 98 of the top 100 in the field.
More Golf: Justin Thomas Unveils 'Scar Tissue' Impact over Years on PGA Tour
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
30 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Shaq Rips NBA For Being 'Soft' Ahead of Pacers vs Thunder Finals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA is gearing up for the start of the 2025 NBA Finals, with many fans excited for the matchup. The Oklahoma City Thunder will be taking on the Indiana Pacers, offering a different feeling to the NBA Finals for the first time in years. More NBA news: Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Biggest Questions, Start Time, Prediction But the criticism that has come toward the NBA in recent months is still around. The league experienced ratings issues all season, with many pointing to the heavy increase in 3-point shot attempts. Well, once again, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal has gone after the league. O'Neal has been critical of the changes in the NBA, but went after the league again, calling it soft. "The league is getting soft, the game is getting soft and it's going to take a couple of people to bring it back," O'Neal said during a recent appearance on the "New Heights" podcast. O'Neal has pointed to the increase in 3-point shooting, especially coming from big men in the league. The former center was dominant in the paint during his time in the league, and has been outspoken on this new era of players. "Like, I hate big guys shooting (3-pointers). Victor Wembanyama is a great player, but I would love to just see him dominate so much that people start complaining, and they change the rules like when I did. I could shoot, but I'm not going to shoot a (3-pointer)," O'Neal said. "Why would I shoot a (3-pointer) when I could put your little a-- in the basket and dunk on you and put these balls in your face." NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal celebrates the launch of 'Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies' at Hershey's Times Square on September 25, 2024 in New York City. O'Neal was disrespected by Fat Joe. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal celebrates the launch of 'Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies' at Hershey's Times Square on September 25, 2024 in New York City. O'Neal was disrespected by Fat Joe. Photo byO'Neal isn't the only former player to express concerns with how the league has gone. But he is one of the few who has a large enough platform to be heard on a consistent basis. Many former players believe that the NBA lacks physicality in today's era, with players being allowed to foul-bait during games. But in reality, each era of the NBA has been different throughout the years in how the game is played. The NBA has been tinkering with different changes across the board to drive ratings up, and they are hopeful that the Finals will help. For the seventh straight season, the NBA will name a new champion, showing that parity is very much alive in the league. More NBA news: Jason Kidd Could Leave Mavericks For Sought-After HC Opening: Report Dan Hurley Makes Position Clear as Knicks Begin Coaching Search LeBron James' 'Mind the Game' Podcast Takes Massive Shot at Brian Windhorst For more on Pacers, Thunder, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Trump's New Travel Ban Threatens to Upend World Cup and Olympics for Fans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump worked hard to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the United States during his first term — and he made sure the world knew it. From campaign rallies to handwritten letters on White House stationery, he celebrated it as a defining global achievement. "I am confident," he wrote to FIFA in 2018, "that all eligible athletes, officials and fans... would be able to enter the United States without discrimination." At the time, the bet was simple: Trump would be long gone by the time the tournament kicked off. But in one of the most improbable comebacks in modern American politics, Trump is not only back in the White House — he's now rewriting the rules for who can attend the event he once helped sell to the world. US President Donald Trump listens to Vice President JD Vance speak during a meeting with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the East Room of the White house in... US President Donald Trump listens to Vice President JD Vance speak during a meeting with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the East Room of the White house in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. The soccer world championship will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. More Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images In a move reminiscent of his first term, a new executive order bans entry from 12 nations — including Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Haiti — and restricts travel from seven more. The order includes exemptions for athletes and staff attending "major sporting events," such as the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. But for ordinary fans from those countries planning to make a pilgrimage to America for either global sporting event, that door has been just shut. Take Iran, whose national team as already qualified for the Cup. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, between 20,000 and 25,000 Iranian fans attended matches at Khalifa International Stadium. Even in 2014 in Brazil, some 2,000 fans made the journey. Under Trump's new order — which labels Iran a "state sponsor of terrorism" and says it "regularly fails to cooperate" with the United States on security issues — that kind of turnout would be impossible in 2026. Other affected nations are also in contention. Haiti currently leads its group after two strong wins in the second round of CONCACAF qualifiers. Libya, currently third in a six-team group, still has a shot through the African playoff route. Venezuela, ranked seventh in South America, could make its first-ever World Cup appearance if it secures an intercontinental playoff berth. Should any of these teams qualify, they'll be allowed to send players and core staff. But unless policy changes, the fans who fueled their journeys will have to stay home. A Win Becomes a Liability In 2018, Trump's personal letters to FIFA helped ease fears among soccer federations wary of his immigration policies. According to The New York Times, the administration crafted the language carefully, with input from the National Security Council and former White House adviser Jared Kushner, who also lobbied allies like Saudi Arabia to support the joint bid and defeat Morocco, the favorite at the time. The promises were clear: the U.S. would not discriminate on who could attend. Then–Secretary of State Rex Tillerson affirmed the country's intent "to issue visas, subject to eligibility under U.S. law, without regard to race, skin color, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, disability, wealth, birth or any other status, or sexual orientation." "These guarantees," then–U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro wrote in a follow-up letter, "will ensure that every eligible fan... will have unhindered access." Fast forward to 2025, and those same guarantees are being undermined by a White House that is again prioritizing border security — and warning travelers worldwide that their public statements, including social media posts, may be scrutinized and could jeopardize their chances of obtaining a U.S. visa. This policy, initially targeting individuals associated with Harvard University, is part of a broader initiative to evaluate visa applicants for signs of antisemitism or anti-American sentiment. It is expected to expand to other institutions and categories. Newsweek has reached out to the White House, State Department, FIFA and Iran's football federation for comment. Visa Bottlenecks Even for countries not subject to the travel ban, attending the World Cup may be out of reach. The U.S. visa system is buckling under pressure. Wait times for tourist visa appointments exceed 700 days in Bogotá, Colombia, and more than 500 days in Ankara and Casablanca. For fans hoping to attend next summer, the window is closing fast. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress last month that his department is considering 24-hour embassy staffing and artificial intelligence to accelerate processing. "If you haven't applied for a visa from Colombia already, you probably won't get here in time," Rubio said. FIFA is watching nervously. The organization expects next year's World Cup to generate $14 billion in revenue, much of it tied to international tourism. But if global fans can't secure visas, that windfall could shrink — and host cities like Kansas City, Miami and New York could lose out. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 27: Uruguay players warm-up before a Copa America 2024 Group C match between Bolivia and Uruguay at MetLife Stadium on June 27, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 27: Uruguay players warm-up before a Copa America 2024 Group C match between Bolivia and Uruguay at MetLife Stadium on June 27, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Stephen Nadler/Beyond the financial risk, FIFA faces a more visible threat: the optics of empty seats. The 2024 Copa América, also hosted in the United States, has already shown how things can go wrong. Despite being played in massive NFL stadiums, the tournament struggled with low attendance and lackluster fan engagement. The U.S. men's national team's opener against Bolivia drew fewer than 48,000 fans to the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Texas. Even the final — featuring powerhouse teams Argentina and Colombia — failed to sell out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Mixed Messages FIFA has long insisted that host nations must provide entry to all competing teams, staff and fans. In 2017, FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned that if countries couldn't guarantee access, "there is no World Cup." In 2025, he reaffirmed that stance: "Football unites the world," he said in a recent video. "Everyone who wants to come... will be able to do that." Yet even within FIFA, confidence is waning. A source close to the organization told The Athletic that visa delays have become a top concern, particularly for African and Latin American countries. Still, Infantino remains confident that his close relationship with President Trump could help ensure a successful tournament. "America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun and to celebrate the game will be able to do that," he said earlier this year. Infantino has appeared at Trump's rallies, dined with him at Davos, and even presented him with a replica of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy — now displayed in the Oval Office. FIFA president (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Gianni Infantino presents US President Donald Trump with the new FIFA Club World Cup official ball in the Oval office of the White House, in Washington, DC, on... FIFA president (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Gianni Infantino presents US President Donald Trump with the new FIFA Club World Cup official ball in the Oval office of the White House, in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2025. More Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images But the administration's messaging remains mixed. At a meeting of the White House's World Cup task force last month, Vice President J.D. Vance said: "Of course everyone is welcome to come and see this wonderful event. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games. But when the time is up, we want them to go home — otherwise they will have to talk to Secretary Noem," he said, referring to Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. The concerns also extend beyond the World Cup. Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has said she wants to meet with Trump to ensure the success of the approaching 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. "He was the president at the time when LA was awarded the Games," Coventry said to the press in March. "I truly believe that he wants the LA28 Games to be a huge success."
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
With eye on U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy (71) using new driver in Canada
Rory McIlroy's driver issue last month at the PGA Championship led to a significant equipment change ahead of the year's third major. Prior to this week's RBC Canadian Open, and after head-to-head at-home testing, McIlroy has decided to reinsert the TaylorMade Qi35 driver that he briefly experimented with during the Florida swing. He has also reportedly shortened his driver about an inch, to prioritize accuracy. 'It was my first outing with a new driver, and I felt like that went pretty well,' said McIlroy, who hit nine of 14 fairways en route to an opening-round, 1-over 71 at TPC Toronto. 'I hit some drives that I liked and that I liked to see, so that was encouraging.' McIlroy's driver has been a point of conversation over the past month, after his previous model was deemed nonconforming during routine driver testing ahead of the PGA. Even with an identical backup head, he didn't perform at his usual level off the tee, ultimately finishing in a tie for 47th in his first major round since completing the career Grand Slam. McIlroy's change with his biggest weapon comes at a crucial time in the competitive calendar, with two majors, the FedExCup playoffs and Ryder Cup all to play over the next three months. 'It's hard with the driver – the one I had been playing with previously, when I missed it, I was a little bit left,' McIlroy said. 'Then my miss with this one is a little bit right. It's just trying to figure that out and manage it a little bit. 'It's a nice feeling to get up the middle of the fairway and fully release it and know it's not going to go left on you.' McIlroy briefly went to the newer model at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but returned to his older head for the final round. He went on to win the following week at The Players.
