Sahith Theegala’s partner Juju Chan has cleared the air and offered her version of events after an ESPN anchor claimed she behaved “weirdly” in a coffee shop during the 2026 Travelers Championship.

Theegala’s fiancée has accused an ESPN anchor of acting unprofessionally, claiming he encouraged people to target her online after they shared a “weird” coffee shop encounter during the 2026 Travelers Championship.

ESPN anchor Gary Striewski took to TikTok over the weekend to explain to his followers that he recognized Theegala’s long-term partner, Juju Chan, in a crowded coffee shop and jokingly asked her if anybody had recognized her.

Chan has built a strong social media following by sharing behind-the-scenes videos of life on the road with Theegala as he competes on the PGA Tour.

“I went to a local coffee shop,” Striewski said. “I see one of the golfers and his girlfriend/fiancée/wife, and I know her because she posts a lot.

“A table opened up next to her, so I went and had a seat It was just me and her.

“I totally understand people being out in public and not wanting to be bothered, but you also have to understand that if you’re a person that posts constantly and you platform yourself all the time, and somebody recognizes you, that’s part of the territory…

“I leaned over and said, ‘Has anybody spotted you yet?’ That’s it. This was her response. ‘I guess now…’ That was weird.”

Chan has now clapped back, insisting that his story was exaggerated.

And she has also accused Striewski of acting unprofessionally by posting a video about their encounter and “encouraging people to hate on me”.

The interaction that he’s explaining did not happen the way he’s saying it did,” she said. “He’s continuing to let people believe a false narrative.

“I was sitting in this coffee shop. Sahith was getting our coffee [and] this person comes and sits three inches away from me.

“As this person is sitting down, (he) directly says, ‘Has anyone spotted you yet?’

“To me, that’s not a normal thing that people would say to me. I don’t know who this person is. It’ a weird comment to me, but I looked over and I just laughed.

“I said, ‘I guess now.’ I said it light-heartedly. I was uncomfortable with the comment, but I was also trying to laugh it off.

“If he perceived our interaction that way, I’m sorry. But that’s not how it went down.

“I think it’s extremely unprofessional given the line of work he’s in. To encourage people to hate on me, that’s uncool.”

Theegala also defended Chan, writing on Instagram: “That guy should have never put you in a position like this.

“I love you so much and I’m incredibly proud of how you’ve handled it my queen.

“I see how kind and caring you are to all that interact with you and the people close to us know your real, incredible self.”

Theegala finished the final signature event of the season in a tie for 51st alongside Jhonattan Vegas, Xander Schauffele and Harry Hall.

Chan and Theegala met as students at Pepperdine University.

They began dating in 2022 and went public with their relationship a year later. Last October, Theegala proposed during a trip to Hawaii.

The couple plan to tie the knot later this year.

 

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Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com