Atlanta Drive Stages Thrilling Comeback to Secure Inaugural TGL Championship
The Atlanta Drive GC pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the New York Golf Club (NYGC) and claim the first-ever TGL championship title. In a dramatic showdown, Atlanta overcame a 3-0 deficit to secure a 4-3 victory in Match 2 of the best-of-three Finals Series, ultimately lifting the coveted SoFi Cup.
The defining moment of the night came on the 14th hole when Billy Horschel sank a clutch 17-foot birdie putt, giving Atlanta its first lead of the match. The putt ignited a wave of celebration, with Horschel dropping his putter and tossing his cap in sheer joy.
"I hit the spot, it looked good," Horschel said about his crucial putt. "Two feet out, I knew it was in. I blacked out for a second, said some things I probably shouldn’t have, but it was all in the heat of the moment. This is our house!"
Atlanta’s Road to Victory
Despite trailing 3-0 after 11 holes, Atlanta remained resilient, strategically using their three Hammers to turn the match around. The comeback began on the par-3 12th hole when Patrick Cantlay hit his tee shot to just four feet, prompting Atlanta to throw its first Hammer. NYGC declined the challenge, allowing Atlanta to cut the lead to 3-1.
At the 13th hole, Atlanta played another Hammer, taking advantage of Xander Schauffele’s approach shot landing in a bunker. With NYGC declining again, the deficit narrowed to 3-2. Horschel’s heroic birdie on the 14th then gave Atlanta its first lead at 4-3, a lead they would not relinquish.
NYGC had one last opportunity to force a decider on the 15th hole, throwing their Hammer before Cantlay and Cameron Young teed off. However, Cantlay’s flawless up-and-down birdie sealed the deal, sparking celebrations as Atlanta became the first-ever TGL champions.
Early Dominance by NYGC
NYGC started strong, with Schauffele giving his team an early lead at the par-3 seventh hole. He hit his tee shot within five feet, forcing Atlanta to concede the hole, making it 1-0. Schauffele extended the lead to 2-0 at the par-4 eighth hole in a controversial moment when he threw the Hammer just as Justin Thomas was about to take a crucial putt. After a review, the play stood, and Atlanta ultimately declined the Hammer, putting NYGC in control heading into the final stretch.
At the par-4 10th, Schauffele added another birdie to make it 3-0, with Atlanta struggling on the greens. Despite their early struggles, Atlanta’s Lucas Glover remained optimistic, saying from the stands, "We’ve got a lot of golf left to play. We’re still fine."
A Historic Victory
Atlanta’s perseverance paid off, as they executed a near-flawless performance over the final four holes to stage an epic comeback. With their strategic Hammer plays and clutch putting, they turned the tide and etched their names in TGL history as the first-ever champions.
With this dramatic win, Atlanta Drive GC not only claimed the inaugural SoFi Cup but also set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying future for the TGL.
