Atlanta Drive GC wins a thrilling TGL season opener 6:4 over New York GC, with Billy Horschel sealing the match with an eagle on the final hole.
The innovative Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) kicked off its second season on Sunday at the specially built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Defending champions Atlanta Drive Golf Club, featuring Chris Gotterup, Billy Horschel, and Corey Conners, faced off against New York Golf Club with Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, and Rickie Fowler. Justin Thomas was sidelined due to a back surgery and watched from the stands. Atlanta Drive GC secured the match with a 6:4 victory.
Horschel Shines Despite Key Absences
Mirroring last season’s final when Atlanta Drive GC also triumphed over New York GC, the defending champions made a statement in this intense matchup. Billy Horschel reflected, ‘I just thought: Bring the ball in, give it a chance.’ Approximately one and a half meters from the hole, his putt looked promising before clinching the game-winning eagle.
Horschel’s team included two new players, Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners, substituting for the injured Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover. Gotterup made a memorable debut despite breaking his driver on his first tee shot, playing with a replacement driver and delivering a perfect fairway shot to start the season.
The first nine holes were played in a triples format, with three selected players alternating shots. Both teams matched par for the first three holes before New York GC earned its first point at the fourth with a birdie. Atlanta Drive GC rallied with valuable points on holes eight and nine, using the TGL’s special ‘Hammer’ rule at the ninth to increase the hole’s value and take a 4:1 halftime lead.
TGL’s Hammer Rule Shakes Up the Match
The Hammer is a unique TGL rule allowing teams to raise a hole’s point value by throwing an orange flag. Opponents can accept, doubling the points, or decline and concede the hole. This adds strategic depth, differentiating TGL from traditional golf. New York GC accepted the Hammer at hole nine but Atlanta Drive GC secured it with a birdie.
The second half featured six holes played in singles format with paired challenges. Atlanta Drive GC declined a Hammer at hole eleven, allowing New York GC to narrow the gap to 4:2. Young’s eagle and Fitzpatrick’s birdie at holes thirteen and fourteen leveled the match at 4:4.
Eagle on Final Hole Decides the Match
The decisive moment came at the 15th hole, where Atlanta Drive GC again employed the Hammer, which New York GC accepted. Billy Horschel clinched the victory against Xander Schauffele with an eagle and an 11-meter putt to seal the 6:4 win.
Billy always delivers. pic.twitter.com