In his TGL debut, Justin Thomas helped Atlanta Drive GC to a convincing 4-0 win over New York Golf Club in the season opener.
Thomas lined up alongside former FedExCup champions Billy Horschel and Patrick Cantlay in the first game of the new technology-infused team league. This league pits PGA Tour stars against each other in a purpose-built indoor arena.
The two-time major champion saw his side lead from the opening hole and never trailed throughout the event at the TGL Sofi Centre. There, they earned two points in the opening nine-hole session using either the alternate shot or triple shot format.
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Billy Horschel of Atlanta Drive danced his way to the SoFi Center ahead of his TGL debut against New York Golf Club.
Atlanta Drive won the first two holes in singles to secure a convincing victory. Here, New York’s lineup of Matt Fitzpatrick, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Young became the first team to fail to score in a TGL game.
The win moves the Atlanta Drive up to two points and tied for first place in the SoFi Cup standings, while New York sits last in the six-team league after a second straight loss and is now struggling to qualify for the season-ending playoffs.
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Billy Horschel, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay dominated the third night of TGL and celebrated in style!
Thomas leads Atlanta to a winning start
New York GC allowed Atlanta Drive to win the hole with par when Young hit his opening shot out of bounds, and Fitzpatrick missed a putt from 8 feet on the next play.
Young also squandered a birdie opportunity for his third win, and Atlanta drove into the lead when Thomas recovered after losing his feet and hit a drive on the par-5 fourth that took 25 feet into the penalty area to scramble for par. Yes.
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Justin Thomas made two big putts as his TGL team, the Atlanta Drive, faced New York Golf Club in the third night.
Cantlay couldn’t convert a 15-foot putt to win his fifth, but his team was two up in the sixth when Thomas dropped his approach to 6 feet, Horschel made the putt, and the rest of the hole was tied in a triple session. I saw the ship’s lead recorded. Atlanta drives to a single to leave it 2-0.
Young couldn’t get up and down on Thomas’ birdie on the 10th, and Fitzpatrick found water with his second ball and then put his next two shots into a bunker before giving up the 11th hole against Horschel.
Thomas sank another long putt on the 13th hole against Young. Young blasted a 360-yard drive and kept his approach in gimme range. Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, missed his first point in New York with a birdie on the 14th hole. .
The Atlanta Drive chose not to use ‘The Hammer’ throughout the game. This gives the team an opportunity to put pressure on their opponents by doubling the value of the hole, and the shutout was confirmed despite Cantlay missing his last birdie opportunity.
Does New York need improvement?
“We have to find a way to play better than other teams,” Fowler said. “We were outplayed both times. I don’t think we played that bad, other than the first hole.” said.
“I had a tough start, but I can’t blame anything else. I chipped and missed the green. Yeah, I made a little hole, but I felt like I played decently from there. But the big thing is, I’ve got to find a way to get some putts in. .”
“I thought the game was really fun,” Young said. “Of course it wasn’t the result we wanted, but watching the other two games and our game tonight, I feel like it was the best golf I’ve ever seen. It was great, and I think we can do better next time.”
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Luke Donald reflects on his experience watching TGL and discusses the similarities between TGL and the environment players may face at the Ryder Cup.
What’s next?
Rory McIlroy will make his TGL debut on Monday when his Boston Common golf team faces Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club, who lost to Los Angeles GC in their season opener, live on Sky Sports Golf from 11.30pm .
Atlanta Drive GC returns with two matches against Los Angeles GC (6pm) and Bay Golf Club (9pm) on 17 February, while New York GC returns to Jupiter Links on 18 February (19 February UK time). The match will be held at 12 o’clock.
Watch every match of the 2025 and 2026 season live exclusively on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports today without a contract, or stream the PGA Tour, majors and more.
