A New Tradition at the Masters

At the iconic Masters tournament, Sahith Theegala has carved out a unique Sunday ritual during his three years at Augusta. After tying for 29th, he joked about his tradition of playing in the morning and catching the last few holes on TV. "If that means I’m at the Masters, I don’t care. I’ll happily do that every year," he said.

Witnessing History

This year, Theegala's routine turned out to be fortuitous, allowing him to enjoy Rory McIlroy’s heroic journey to a historic Grand Slam. "He was the guy I watched a lot in high school, so it was amazing to see him finally do it," Theegala said, reflecting on his viral reaction to McIlroy's monumental victory.

Breaking Records and Barriers

McIlroy's achievement is monumental. He is only the sixth golfer ever to complete a career Grand Slam, and the first European since Tiger Woods did it in 2000. Remarkably, McIlroy achieved this on his 11th attempt—the most for any winner. The legends before him, including Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan, needed no more than three tries.

A Supportive Word from Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, had the honor of placing the green jacket on McIlroy. He offered insight into the emotional weight of the accomplishment. "It looked like relief more than anything," he stated, emphasizing the immense challenges involved in winning all four major titles.

A Lifetime of Accomplishments

Scheffler noted that McIlroy has already clinched multiple prestigious titles, including the FedExCup and The Players. "It was really cool to see his joy and the pride in his family during that moment," he added.

Motivational Impact of the Grand Slam

While many young golfers, like Theegala, rarely think about the Grand Slam, it serves as a powerful motivation for others. Billy Horschel shared his childhood dream of achieving what only a select few have done. "Rory's win hit me hard emotionally because he's a friend who works so hard. If anyone deserves this, it’s him," Horschel expressed.

What’s Next for McIlroy?

Since McIlroy's victory, speculation surrounds whether he might ease up on his competitive edge. However, his peers are convinced that won't happen. "To reach his level, you’ve got to be wired differently. He’s a relentless competitor," Theegala remarked. "I’d be surprised if this doesn’t free him up even more. Rory still has a lot to prove to the world."

What His Peers Know

Only those within the golfing community fully grasp the enormity of McIlroy's Grand Slam. His journey is far from over, and his ambition continues to challenge the limits of the sport.