Boston Common Golf ends its losing streak in the TGL with an eagle on the final hole to defeat 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. Last season, Boston Common Golf had not won a single TGL match but finally broke this streak. Alongside McIlroy, the winning team included American Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Michael Thorbjörnsen, who stepped in as a replacement for Australian Adam Scott and Japanese Hideki Matsuyama, both absent due to scheduling conflicts. The Los Angeles Golf Club featured prominent players as well: Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala.
TGL Thriller Decided by Thorbjörnsen’s Eagle Putt
Only on the last hole did TGL rookie Michael Thorbjörnsen decide the close contest with a 4.5-meter eagle putt, securing a 7:5 victory for Boston Common Golf. Rory McIlroy commented, \”It took a long time for Keegan and me to win again,\” adding, \”Many great shots, many birdies and eagles, but also risky putts and narrow mistakes. It was back and forth. Definitely fun to play.\”
The match started with nine holes played in a triple format, resulting in six birdies, two eagles, and points on seven holes, leading to a 4:4 tie. On the 8th hole, Boston Common Golf secured two points through a hammer throw accepted by Los Angeles Golf Club and a resulting birdie, tactically overcoming their one-point deficit. The Los Angeles Golf Club’s point on the last triple hole posed no threat.
In the singles, the duel was initially balanced until Boston Common Golf took the lead after the 12th hole with an eagle putt by Michael Thorbjörnsen. The next two holes ended tied despite hammer throws, leaving Boston Common Golf ahead 6:5 before the final hole. Though a tie was still possible, 24-year-old Thorbjörnsen confidently sank the final putt for eagle, sealing the victory.
Thorbjörnsen was also the first TGL player to sink four putts over three meters in a single match, closing the gap to his teammates and Ryder Cup rivals McIlroy and Keegan Bradley, contributing decisively to the team win at Palm Beach State College’s campus.
Hammer Strategy Key to Success
Boston Common Golf also secured success thanks to a targeted hammer strategy, earning three extra points. \”We take a slightly different approach with 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 course of the game.\”
The losing Los Angeles Golf Club team also commented after the game. \”We had good chances throughout the day to pull ahead and gain a lead, but it didn’t happen,\” said Sahith Theegala. \”The guys played great, and it’s a lot of fun to compete with them.\”