Theegala surges with 8-under 64 in final round at Doral; Young dominates
Synopsis
Theegala's brilliant 8-under 64 in the final round climbed him 33 spots to tied-30th at the Cadillac Championship, a stark turnaround from his middle-round struggles. But the story belonged to Cameron Young, who coasted to a six-shot victory despite calling a penalty on himself — a masterclass in composure that left world No. 1 Scheffler in second for the third straight time.
Key Takeaways
Sahith Theegala shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 in the final round at the Cadillac Championship in Doral, Florida on 4 May .
Theegala climbed 33 spots to finish tied-30th after opening with 69, 76, 74 .
Cameron Young won by six shots at 19-under , closing with a 4-under 68 .
Scottie Scheffler finished second for the third consecutive time at this venue.
Sudarshan Yellamaraju also tied-30th with a clean 68 ; Akshay Bhatia shot 1-over 73 to finish tied-23rd.
Sahith Theegala carded a flawless 8-under 64 in the final round at the Cadillac Championship in Doral, Florida, on 4 May, climbing 33 spots to finish tied-30th after a week marked by inconsistency. The bogey-free effort provided a crucial confidence boost as he works toward returning to the world's elite.
Theegala's final-round masterclass
Starting on the back nine, Theegala built early momentum with birdies at the 12th and 16th holes. He found his rhythm on the front nine, adding six birdies including consecutive gains on holes one, two, and five, followed by three consecutive birdies to close his round. The performance matched his best score of the season and stood in sharp contrast to his middle rounds, where he posted 76 and 74 to slip down the leaderboard after an opening 69.
Young's commanding victory
Cameron Young delivered a dominant display throughout the week, closing with a 4-under 68 to finish at 19-under for a comfortable six-shot victory. Notably, Young called a one-stroke penalty on himself early in the final round but remained composed, underscoring his consistency and mental toughness. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler finished second once again, marking his third consecutive runner-up result at this venue.
Supporting cast and course conditions
Ben Griffin secured third place, while Si Woo Kim, Sepp Straka, and Adam Scott shared fourth. Scott's strong weekend performance may have secured him a spot in the upcoming U.S. Open, potentially marking his 100th consecutive major championship appearance. Early morning rain softened the notoriously challenging Blue Monster course, and preferred lies were in effect, making scoring slightly more accessible than usual.
Mixed results for other Indian contenders
Sudarshan Yellamaraju also made a notable move, finishing alongside Theegala at tied-30th after a clean 68 featuring four birdies and no dropped shots. However, Akshay Bhatia experienced a mixed day, recording an eagle on the par-4 16th and four birdies but surrendering two double bogeys and three bogeys for a 1-over 73, dropping him to tied-23rd after starting the day inside the top 10.
What's next
The result underscores Theegala's capacity to produce under pressure when rhythm and confidence align. His closing round suggests momentum entering the next phase of the PGA Tour season, though consistency across all 72 holes remains the challenge ahead.
Point of View
76, 74) followed by one brilliant round does not a comeback make. For Theegala to reclaim a spot among the world's elite, he needs consistency across 72 holes, not just a Sunday surge. Young's victory, meanwhile, underscored why he remains a threat in every field — even a self-inflicted penalty could not rattle him. Scheffler's third runner-up finish here suggests the course or the moment does not suit him, an unusual pattern for a world No. 1.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did Sahith Theegala shoot in the final round at Doral?
Theegala shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 in the final round on 4 May, matching his best score of the season. He started on the back nine with birdies at holes 12 and 16, then added six birdies on the front nine including three consecutive to close his round.
How much did Theegala climb the leaderboard in the final round?
Theegala climbed 33 spots to finish tied-30th after his 8-under 64. His middle rounds of 76 and 74 had dropped him down the standings, but the strong finish provided a much-needed confidence boost.
Who won the Cadillac Championship at Doral?
Cameron Young won the tournament by six shots at 19-under, closing with a 4-under 68. Despite calling a one-stroke penalty on himself early in the final round, he remained composed and delivered a dominant performance throughout the week.
How did other Indian golfers perform at the Cadillac Championship?
Sudarshan Yellamaraju finished tied-30th alongside Theegala after a clean 68 with four birdies. Akshay Bhatia struggled in the final round with a 1-over 73 featuring an eagle and four birdies but also two double bogeys and three bogeys, finishing tied-23rd.
What impact did weather have on the tournament?
Early morning rain softened the notoriously challenging Blue Monster course, and preferred lies were in effect, making scoring slightly easier than usual conditions at Doral.
