Atlanta Drive GC edges out New York GC 6–4 in a thrilling TGL opener — Billy Horschel seals the win with an eagle on the final hole.
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 with Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele, and Rickie Fowler. Justin Thomas, sidelined due to back surgery, watched from the stands as his Atlanta team clinched a 6–4 victory.
Horschel shines despite key absences
Much like last season’s final, Atlanta Drive GC once again triumphed over New York GC in a tightly contested match. Billy Horschel, who delivered the decisive eagle, said, “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 was joined by newcomers Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners, stepping in for injured Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover. Gotterup made an impression early on when his driver broke on the first tee shot of his TGL debut, forcing him to use Conners’ backup club — yet he still found the fairway perfectly.
The first nine holes were played in the Triples format, where three players alternate shots in a set order. Both teams opened with pars on the first three holes. New York GC drew first blood with a birdie on hole 4, but Atlanta responded strongly, scoring on holes 8 and 9. On the ninth, they used the TGL’s unique “Hammer” rule to double the hole’s value and took a 4–1 lead into halftime.
TGL’s Hammer rule adds drama
The Hammer is a signature feature of TGL, allowing a team to raise the stakes by throwing an orange flag. The opposing team can accept, making the hole worth more, or decline and forfeit the hole. New York GC accepted the Hammer on hole 9, but Atlanta’s birdie secured a crucial two-point swing.
The back nine switched to Singles format, with each player facing two head-to-head matchups. New York GC narrowed the gap to 4–2 after Atlanta declined a Hammer on hole 11. Cameron Young’s eagle and Matt Fitzpatrick’s birdie on holes 13 and 14 brought the match to 4–4.
Final eagle clinches TGL victory
The match came down to the 15th and final hole. Atlanta threw the Hammer again, and New York accepted. Billy Horschel faced Xander Schauffele and drained an 11-meter eagle putt to win the match 6–4.
Billy always delivers. pic.twitter.com/3YzgOxZmTB