What is a ‘Mongolian reversal’ in golf?

If you were paying attention to the first round of the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal, you may have heard Sahith Theegala make reference to a ‘Mongolian reversal’ that occurred during his first match.

“Match play is a funny, funny thing,” said the American. “There’s always some Mongolians and things go the ways that you don’t think it would go.”

Pressed to explain what he meant by that, Theegala continued: “I realise I didn’t say the full phrase. It’s not race intended or country intended, but Mongolian reversal, I don’t even know how it originated.

“The first time I heard it was actually Fred Couples, a long time ago when I was watching TV. I guess it’s just when your opponents are in a better place than you on the hole and you do something cool like make a long putt.

“It looks like your opponents were going to win the hole when you hit the approach shots in, but you make the long putt and they miss the short putt, and all of a sudden [you’ve gone from] looking like you’re losing the hole to winning the hole.”

Laughing, Theegala added: “Please don’t cancel me!”

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What is a ‘Mongolian reversal’?

So, Theegala is pretty much correct.

According to a post on the Golf Club Atlas forum, a Mongolian reversal “occurs in match play when you suddenly lose a hole that you thought you would definitely win. This can happen when your opponent makes a long putt and you three putt.”

The origin of the term is not particularly well known but it assumed it relates to the collapse of the Mongol Empire in the 14th century. Once the largest contiguous land empire that ever existed – and, therefore, in a position of strength – the Empire fragmented following the death of Kublai Khan in 1294… so that might have something to do with it – but we can’t be certain.

It seems to be more commonplace in the United States than other golf nations.

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Watch: Sahith Theegala explains…

Thanks for the explanation, Sahith! pic.twitter.com/Rosep7r3GT

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 26, 2024