Boston Common Golf ends its dry spell in the TGL with an eagle on the final hole to beat the Los Angeles Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy and his team Boston Common Golf finally shone on Saturday at the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) held at the SoFi Center in Palm Gardens Beach, Florida, defeating the Los Angeles Golf Club. In the previous season, Boston Common Golf had failed to win any TGL duels but broke this streak now. The winning team included McIlroy, American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, and Michael Thorbjörnsen, who stepped in as a substitute for Australian Adam Scott and Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, both absent due to scheduling conflicts. The Los Angeles Golf Club featured prominent players like Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala.
TGL: Thorbjörnsen Decides Thriller with Eagle Putt
It was only on the final hole that TGL rookie Michael Thorbjörnsen clinched the tight duel with a 4.5-meter eagle putt, securing a 7:5 win for Boston Common Golf. Rory McIlroy commented, \”It took a long time for Keegan and me to finally win again,\” adding, \”Many good shots, numerous birdies and eagles, but also risky putts and close mistakes. It was back and forth. Definitely fun to play.\”
The duel started with nine holes in the triple format, resulting in a 4:4 tie with six birdies, two eagles, and points on seven holes. On the eighth hole, Boston Common Golf gained two points with a hammer throw accepted by the Los Angeles Golf Club leading to a birdie, drawing level tactically from a one-point deficit. A point from the Los Angeles Golf Club on the last triple hole was no longer threatening.
The singles matches were initially balanced until Boston Common Golf took the lead at the 12th hole with an eagle putt from Thorbjörnsen. The next two holes ended in ties despite hammer throws, leaving Boston Common Golf ahead 6:5 before the final hole. Although a tie was still possible, 24-year-old Thorbjörnsen confidently sank the last putt for eagle to seal the victory.
Thorbjörnsen was also the first TGL player to make four putts over three meters in a single match. This feat helped him close the gap with teammates and Ryder Cup rivals McIlroy and Bradley, contributing decisively to the complete team victory on the Palm Beach State College campus.
Hammer Strategy as Key to Success
Boston Common Golf’s victory also benefited from a targeted hammer strategy, earning three extra points. \”We use a slightly different strategy when accepting and throwing hammers, focusing more on data,\” explained Keegan Bradley. \”Sometimes you have to take risks with these hammers because they can completely change the game’s course.\”
Despite the loss, the Los Angeles Golf Club team expressed positivity. \”We had good chances all day to pull ahead and build a lead, but it didn’t work out,\” said Sahith Theegala. \”The guys played great, and it’s a lot of fun to compete with