Atlanta Drive GC edges New York GC 6–4 in a thrilling TGL season opener — Billy Horschel seals the win with a clutch eagle.
The Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) kicked off its second season on Sunday at the purpose-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Defending champions Atlanta Drive GC, featuring Chris Gotterup, Billy Horschel, and Corey Conners, faced off against New York GC’s Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, and Rickie Fowler. Justin Thomas, sidelined due to back surgery, supported his Atlanta teammates from the stands. Atlanta Drive GC emerged victorious in a tightly contested 6–4 match.
Horschel shines despite roster changes
Echoing last season’s finale, Atlanta once again triumphed over New York in a close battle. Billy Horschel delivered the decisive moment with an eagle on the final hole. “I just thought: ‘Get the ball in the hole. Give it a chance.’ About five feet out, it looked good. And then I did it again,” Horschel said post-match.
Horschel’s squad featured two new faces: Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners stepped in for injured Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover. Gotterup made an immediate impression — his driver broke on the opening tee shot of his TGL debut, forcing him to use Conners’ backup. Nonetheless, he nailed a perfect drive down the fairway to officially launch the season.
The first nine holes were played in the Triples format, where three players from each team alternate shots in a pre-set order. Both teams opened with three straight pars before New York drew first blood with a birdie on hole 4. Atlanta responded by taking key points on holes 8 and 9, including a strategic use of the TGL’s unique “Hammer” rule.
TGL’s Hammer rule turns the tide
The Hammer is a distinctive TGL feature that allows teams to raise the stakes by doubling a hole’s point value. A team throws an orange flag to activate the Hammer; the opponent can accept, making the hole worth two points, or decline and forfeit the hole. New York accepted the challenge on hole 9, but Atlanta capitalized with a birdie, entering halftime with a 4–1 lead.
The second half featured six singles matchups, with each player competing in two head-to-head holes. New York clawed back to 4–4 with an eagle from Cameron Young and a birdie by Matt Fitzpatrick on holes 13 and 14. Atlanta had earlier declined a Hammer on hole 11, giving New York a point.
Final eagle seals Atlanta’s win
The match came down to the 15th and final hole. Atlanta threw the Hammer again, and New York accepted. Billy Horschel delivered under pressure, sinking an 11-meter eagle putt to defeat Xander Schauffele and clinch the win for Atlanta Drive GC.