Spicy Golf Showdown: TGL Finals Series Preview
Atlanta Drive triumphed over The Bay to arrange a showdown against New York Golf Club in the initial TGL Finals.
Gear up for the smackdown of the century, as the Atlanta Drive go head-to-head with the New York Golf Club in the inaugural TGL Finals Series. This showdown will crown the very first SoFi Cup champion!
The Drive, a powerhouse team with Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Billy Horschel, outmatched The Bay Golf Club 9-3 at SoFi Center. Shane Lowry, Ludvig Åberg, and Min Woo Lee of The Bay GC couldn't keep up with the Drive's flawless play.
With an exciting best-of-three series lined up against the New York Golf Club, expectations are high. Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, and Xander Schauffele makeup the New York squad. Match 1 kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Monday. Match 2 follows on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, and if necessary, Match 3 will take place later in the day.
Justin Thomas, post-match, commented, "Obviously, they're starting to play well at the right time. I like our team, and I like our chances. It's gonna be a lot of fun."
The Bay Golf Club encountered some trouble before the match even began, as Wyndham Clark had to sit this one out due to a neck injury. Despite their star-studded lineup, The Bay struggled against Atlanta's error-free play, resulting in a one-sided affair.
Former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick cheered on Atlanta, betting big on the Drive's victory. Atlanta started strongly, benefiting from some early errors to take an early lead.
In an exciting turn of events, Atlanta managed to clinch the victory by throwing the Hammer on the par-3 12th hole, making the hole worth double points. World No. 12 Patrick Cantlay stepped up to the plate, sinking a tee shot just four feet from the cup, followed by a cool putt, sealing Atlanta's win with three holes remaining.
Atlanta's victory was a form of revenge for their only defeat this season, handed to them by The Bay Golf Club. Patrick Cantlay couldn't hide his excitement, commenting, "Our team's played well most every match. We've had a lot of close matches and hit shots when we needed to, just like tonight. We'll take that into next week, and I think we're all excited for the final."
In a surprising turn of events, TGL co-founder Rory McIlroy - who won The Players Championship on Monday - expressed his regret at missing out on this high-stakes finale after his Boston Common Golf squad missed out on the postseason. "Shane (Lowry) was talking about Wyndham having FOMO (fear of missing out)," McIlroy said. "I'm certainly having a lot of FOMO. I wish I was out there playing instead of watching."
The TGL, co-founded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is in its debut season, making waves with its tech-infused approach, broadcast on ESPN. The 1,500-capacity stadium it will be hosted in aims to attract a younger audience, revitalizing the sport of golf. Get ready to witness history being made as the TGL Finals Series unfolds!
- Despite TGL co-founder Rory McIlroy's regret over missing the high-stakes finale due to his Boston Common Golf squad missing the postseason, the TGL, a tech-infused golf league co-founded by McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is set to advance further with the inaugural TGL Finals Series.
- The upcoming best-of-three series between the Atlanta Drive and the New York Golf Club, a showdown that will crown the first SoFi Cup champion, promises to be a tense golf match, with both teams boasting star-studded lineups.
- As the TGL Finals Series progresses, league veterans such as Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, and Xander Schauffele are expected to showcase their golf prowess, with the Wyndham venture becoming a significant part of the golfing landscape.
