Image Credit: Avanca
Billy Horschel delivered another clutch moment at SoFi Center, lifting Atlanta Drive GC to a 6–4 win over New York Golf Club in Sunday’s TGL season-opener.
Nine months after sealing Atlanta’s Finals Series title, Horschel once again proved decisive. With the match on the line, he poured in a 37-foot eagle putt, raised his hand to the crowd, and broke New York’s resistance for a second straight high-stakes victory.
A Familiar Finish at SoFi Center
The season-opening showdown mirrored last year’s Finals Series, with momentum swinging back and forth before Atlanta closed strong. Horschel summed it up simply, saying his goal was to give the putt a chance. Five feet out, he knew it had a real shot.
This time, Horschel was joined by new faces. Alternates Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners stepped in for Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover and handled early adversity well. Gotterup even played with Conners’ backup driver after breaking his own before the match, launching a confident opening tee shot to kick off the new season.
Hammer Strategy Makes the Difference
After early pars, the match turned during Triples at the par-5 “Fore-0-Fore.” Atlanta again showed its mastery of Hammer strategy. With New York in a vulnerable position, Atlanta threw the Hammer, forcing a decision.
New York accepted, and Conners responded by sticking his approach inside six feet. Horschel converted the birdie, pushing Atlanta ahead 3–1 entering Singles. Atlanta’s aggressive Hammer use was a hallmark last season, and it paid dividends once more.
Cantlay, sidelined from play, still influenced strategy from the stands, sitting alongside Justin Thomas. Thomas, recovering from offseason surgery, later joined the broadcast booth and kept things lively with playful jabs at New York’s Xander Schauffele.
New York’s Late Push Falls Short
New York mounted a comeback after Atlanta declined a Hammer at the 11th. Back-to-back points at holes 13 and 14 leveled the match. Cameron Young drained a 23-foot eagle at the 13th, followed by Matt Fitzpatrick’s birdie at the 14th to tie things late.
The teams also debuted New York’s Team Hole, the par-5 “Big Apple,” featuring a skyline and Statue of Liberty backdrop. TGL introduced six regionally themed Team Holes for the season, with each team playing its own in every match.
What’s Next in TGL
Atlanta Drive GC returns Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. ET against The Bay Golf Club. New York Golf Club faces Jupiter Links Golf Club on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. ET. The next league match is Jan. 2, when Boston Common Golf meets Los Angeles Golf Club.
Once again, when the moment demanded it, Billy Horschel delivered.
