Billy Horschel delivered a dramatic final-hole eagle to assist Atlanta Drive GC make a profitable begin to their TGL title defence with a 6-4 victory over New York Golf Membership.
The tech-infused golf league, based by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s firm TMRW Sports activities, sees PGA Tour stars go face to face in workforce matches that use a hybrid of digital and real-life play.
Horschel’s Atlanta Drive GC gained the SoFi Cup Finals final yr by beating New York Golf Membership in a best-of-three sequence, with the defending champions popping out on prime once more regardless of having to play with a much-changed line-up.
Atlanta Drive GC constructed a 3-1 lead after the opening nine-hole session, utilizing alternate shot – or triples, then prolonged their lead within the singles earlier than seeing New York Golf Membership battle again within the 15-hole contest.
Cameron Younger and Matt Fitzpatrick each gained factors for final yr’s runners-up to go away the 2 groups tied heading to the ultimate gap, the place Horschel nailed a 37-foot eagle to shut out victory.
Horschel was the one participant from final yr’s Atlanta Drive GC workforce accessible for his or her season opener
How Atlanta Drive made profitable begin
Justin Thomas had already been dominated out for Atlantic Drive GC however was joined on the sidelines by Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover, each additionally injured, with Corey Conners and Chris Gotterup coming in to play alongside Horschel.
The 2 groups tied the primary three holes earlier than New York GC moved forward on the par-five fourth, as Conners – who hit the opening tee shot of the match – missed a putt from inside 5 toes.
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How does workforce golf work in TGL? Take a better have a look at how the tech-infused golf league works
Xander Schauffele missed an 11-foot birdie likelihood on the par-three subsequent after New York GC threw down the Hammer, which doubles the worth of the opening, whereas Atlanta Drive pulled degree when Gotterup chipped to tap-in vary on the eighth.
Horschel made a six-foot birdie on the ninth to win the opening after Atlanta Drive had thrown down the Hammer, whereas Gotterup tidied up from shut vary to assert the tenth gap and transfer them 4-1 forward.
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Watch certainly one of TGL’s new holes trigger chaos for gamers within the season-opening match between Atlanta Drive GC and New York Golf Membership
Atlanta Drive declined the Hammer and conceded the eleventh gap after Gotterup discovered water off the tee, whereas Younger and Fitzpatrick each holed birdie putts from over 20 toes to win the subsequent two holes and degree the competition.
Each groups discovered the inexperienced in two on the par-five final, the place the Hammer made it price two factors, with Horschel holing his long-range eagle earlier than watching Schauffele miss his try to take the competition to time beyond regulation.
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Check out how the TGL golf programs are made up and what adjustments have been made forward of the 2026 season
What’s subsequent?
The subsequent TGL match sees Rory McIlroy’s Boston Frequent Golf tackle Los Angeles GC, with protection stay on Saturday from 12am on Sky Sports activities Golf.
Atlanta Drive GC are again in motion on January 6 in opposition to The Bay Golf Membership (10pm begin UK time), whereas New York Golf Membership faces Jupiter Hyperlinks on January 14 (12am begin UK time). Watch each match of the 2026 TGL season solely stay on Sky Sports activities Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
