Boston Common Golf ends its losing streak in the TGL as a clutch Eagle on the final hole decides the duel against Los Angeles Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy and his team Boston Common Golf shined for the first time on Saturday at the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL) at the SoFi Center in Palm Gardens Beach, Florida, defeating the Los Angeles Golf Club. After failing to win any duel last season, Boston Common Golf finally broke their curse. Alongside McIlroy, the winning team featured American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Michael Thorbjörnsen, who stepped in for Australians Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama, both unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. The Los Angeles Golf Club also fielded notable players: Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala.
TGL: Thorbjörnsen seals thriller with Eagle putt
The match was decided on the final hole when TGL rookie Michael Thorbjörnsen sank a 4.5-meter Eagle putt to secure a 7-5 victory for Boston Common Golf. Rory McIlroy commented, “It took a long time for Keegan and me to finally win again,” adding, “Many great shots, lots of birdies and eagles, but also risky putts and close mistakes. It was back and forth and definitely fun to play.”
The duel started with nine holes played in the triple format, featuring six birdies, two eagles, and points on seven holes, resulting in a 4-4 tie. At the 8th hole, Boston Common Golf tactically leveled a one-point deficit by earning two points from a hammer throw accepted by the Los Angeles Golf Club, followed by a consequential birdie. The Los Angeles Golf Club’s point on the last hole of the triples posed no threat.
In the singles, the match was initially balanced until Boston Common Golf took the lead at the 12th hole with an Eagle putt by Thorbjörnsen. The next two holes ended tied despite hammer throws, putting Boston Common Golf ahead 6-5 going into the final hole. Facing a possible draw, the 24-year-old confidently converted the last putt into an Eagle to clinch the win.
Thorbjörnsen became the first TGL player to sink four putts over three meters in a single match, closing the gap to teammates and Ryder Cup rivals McIlroy and Bradley, contributing decisively to the team’s comprehensive victory at Palm Beach State College campus.
Hammer strategy key to success
Boston Common Golf’s success was also driven by a deliberate hammer strategy that secured three extra points. “We approach receiving and throwing hammers a bit differently, focusing more on the data,” explained Keegan Bradley. “Sometimes taking risks with these hammers is necessary as they can completely change the game flow.”
The defeated Los Angeles Golf Club team also reflected post-match. “We had good chances all day to pull ahead, but it didn’t work out,” said Sahith Theegala. “The guys played great, and it’s a lot of fun to compete against them.”