Justin Thomas starred in his TGL debut to help Atlanta Drive GC to a convincing 4-0 win over New York Golf Club in their season opener.
Thomas lined up alongside former FedExCup champions Billy Horschel and Patrick Cantley for their first meeting in the new technology-infused team league, where PGA Tour stars clash inside a purpose-built indoor arena.
The two-time major champion saw his side lead from the opening hole and never trailed during the competition at the TGL Sofi Center, where they won two points in the opening nine-hole session, which uses an alternate shot or triple format.
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Atlanta Drive’s Billy Horschel danced his way into the SoFi Center before his TGL debut against the Golf Club of New York.
Atlanta Drive won the first two holes of singles play to close out a convincing win, where New York’s line-up of Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young became the first side to fail to earn a point in TGL play.
The win moves the Atlanta Drive to the top of the SoFi Cup standings with two points, while New York is in last place in the six-team league after a second straight loss and is now in contention for a season-ending playoff spot.
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Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantley dominated night three of TGL and celebrated in style.
Thomas leads Atlanta to a winning start
New York GC immediately fell behind when Young hit her opening putt out of bounds to allow Atlanta Drive to win the hole, and Fitzpatrick then missed an eight-foot putt to tie the match at the next.
Young also missed a birdie chance to win the third, while the Atlanta drive stayed ahead when Thomas recovered from losing his footing and hit his drive on the fifth into the penalty box, draining a 25-footer to tie the game.
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Justin Thomas hit two big shots for his TGL team Atlanta Drive as they met on night three at the New York Golf Club.
Cantlay missed a 15-foot putt to win the fifth, but saw his team double its lead at the sixth when Thomas hit his approach to six feet and Horschel birdied the remaining holes in a three-putt to leave Atlanta Drive at 2 -0 with singles.
Young couldn’t get up and down to match Thomas’ birdie at the tenth, while Fitzpatrick bogeyed the 11th against Horschel after finding the water on his second shot, then hitting his next two shots into the bunker.
Thomas made another long putt to birdie the 13th against Young, who had a 360-yard drive and left on his approach, while Fitzpatrick failed to score New York’s first point when he birdied the 14th.
Atlanta Drive opposed the use of “The Hammer” throughout the game, which allows the team to pressure the opponent to double the value of the hole, and the shutout was established despite Cantlay’s missed birdie chance at the end.
Need improvement from New York?
Fowler said. “We just have to find a way to play better than the other team. We played great both times. I don’t think we played too bad, except for our first hole.
“We had a rough start, but no offense here. Yeah, we dug ourselves a little bit of a hole. But the big thing was we got to play.” let’s find a way to open some shots.”
Yang added: “I think the game was really fun. Obviously it wasn’t the result we wanted, but I feel like it was the best golf I’ve seen from watching the other two matches and then ours tonight.” It was a blast and I think we’ll do better next time We will perform.”
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Luke Donald reflects on his experience watching TGL and discusses the similarities it has with the environment a player might encounter at the Ryder Cup.
What’s next?
Rory McIlroy is set to make his TGL debut on Monday when his Boston Common Golf team takes on Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club, who were knocked out by Los Angeles GC in their season opener, live from 11.30pm on Sky Sports Golf.
Atlanta Drive GC returns to action with two games on February 17 against Los Angeles GC (6:00 p.m.) and The Bay Golf Club (9:00 p.m.), while New York GC next plays on February 18 against Jupiter Lynx (February 19, 12pm UK time).
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