Sahith Theegala fires 6-under 64 to share RBC Canadian Open lead
Synopsis
Sahith Theegala's short game bailed him out early, and his putter did the rest — a 6-under 64 at TPC Toronto has the Indian-American golfer sharing the RBC Canadian Open lead with Brooks Koepka and four others. With the U.S. Open a week away, the timing could not be better for a player who has been quietly building toward a breakthrough all season.
Key Takeaways
Sahith Theegala carded a 6-under 64 at TPC Toronto on the opening day of the RBC Canadian Open .
He shares the lead with Brooks Koepka , Sam Burns , Emiliano Grillo , Eric Cole , and Matthew Anderson .
Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Yellamaraju both shot 1-under 69 ; PGA Tour debutant Jeevan Sihota carded a 1-over 71 .
Theegala credited his short game — including a key chip-in on the 10th hole — for steadying the round early.
The performance comes one week before the U.S.
Open , with Theegala describing his form as better than his recent results have reflected.
Sahith Theegala delivered one of his most assured rounds of the 2026 season on Thursday, carding a 6-under 64 at TPC Toronto to move into a share of the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open. The Indian-American golfer's composed display came at an ideal moment, with the U.S. Open just a week away.
A Six-Way Tie at the Top
Theegala's 64 placed him in a six-way tie for first alongside Major champion Brooks Koepka, Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Eric Cole, and Matthew Anderson. With a dozen players posting rounds of 65 or better, the tournament remains wide open heading into the second round. Koepka also caught the eye, birdieing four of his final five holes to join the lead group as the former U.S. Open champion continues to build momentum on his return to a fuller schedule.
How Theegala Built His Round
Starting on the 10th hole, Theegala was tested early when his approach narrowly avoided the water. A brilliant chip-in rescued the situation and set a resilient tone for the day. He dropped a shot at the 11th but responded immediately with a birdie at the next, adding another gain at the 18th to turn at 2-under.
The round accelerated on his second nine, with birdies at the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th holes completing an impressive outward stretch. The flawless finish underlined the growing confidence in his game.
What Theegala Said
'My whole game felt really nice,' Theegala said. 'I didn't strike it that well at the start, and my short game really saved me. Once I settled in after a few holes, I started hitting the ball much better, and things became a lot more comfortable.'
He also acknowledged that the course conditions were more demanding than the scoreboard suggested. Strong crosswinds, tree-lined fairways, and sloping greens made shot selection particularly challenging. According to Theegala, the wind was deceptive because players could not always gauge its strength from the fairways — once the ball climbed above the tree line, it could be pushed well off its intended line.
A Season of Quiet Progress
Despite a run of results that has not always reflected the quality of his play, Theegala has remained upbeat. 'I think the results over the last couple of months haven't been great, but the golf has been there,' he said. 'You have to stay positive. I'm making a lot of cuts, which means something is working. You just keep believing and keep moving forward.'
The Hero-supported golfer's first-round performance is the clearest evidence yet that a breakthrough result may not be far away.
Other Indian-Origin Players
Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Yellamaraju both opened with rounds of 1-under 69, placing them comfortably inside the chasing pack. Canadian qualifier Jeevan Sihota, making his PGA Tour debut, carded a 1-over 71 and will need to improve in round two to make the cut.
For Indian golf followers, Theegala's return to the front of a major PGA Tour leaderboard is the standout story of the week — and a timely confidence boost as the season enters one of its most consequential stretches.
Point of View
A deep Canadian Open run would do more than boost his ranking — it would reset the narrative entirely.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sahith Theegala perform in the first round of the RBC Canadian Open 2026?
Theegala shot a 6-under 64 at TPC Toronto to share the first-round lead. He birdied six holes and dropped just one shot, finishing in a six-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.
Who is sharing the lead with Theegala at the RBC Canadian Open?
Theegala is tied for the lead with Brooks Koepka, Sam Burns, Emiliano Grillo, Eric Cole, and Matthew Anderson, all at 6-under 64 after round one.
How did other Indian-origin players fare in round one?
Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Yellamaraju both carded 1-under 69, sitting comfortably inside the chasing pack. Jeevan Sihota, making his PGA Tour debut as a Canadian qualifier, shot 1-over 71 and faces a tough second round to make the cut.
Why is Theegala's performance at the Canadian Open significant?
The round is his strongest start of the 2026 season and comes just one week before the U.S. Open, making it a timely confidence boost. Theegala has acknowledged that his recent results have not fully reflected the quality of his play.
What course conditions did players face at TPC Toronto?
Strong crosswinds, tree-lined fairways, and sloping greens made the course more demanding than the scores suggested. Theegala noted the wind was particularly deceptive, as its full force was only felt once the ball rose above the tree line.
