Los Angeles Golf Club clinches playoff spot with comeback win in overtime against New York Golf Club
Los Angeles Golf Club Secures Playoff Spot with Stunning Overtime Comeback Against New York
Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in TGL history, overcoming a 4-0 deficit on the 12th tee to defeat New York Golf Club (NYGC) in overtime. This dramatic 5-4 victory guarantees Los Angeles a spot in the playoffs, securing their place among the top four teams in the SoFi Cup Standings.
A Rally Against the Odds
At the 12th hole, Sahith Theegala sparked the comeback with a crucial 28-foot birdie putt, reducing the deficit to 4-1 and keeping his team’s hopes alive. With three holes left to play, the pressure was mounting.
Tony Finau, stepping in for a one-match contract due to the absence of Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, made an immediate impact on the 13th hole. Los Angeles strategically played the Hammer, making the hole worth two points. Finau delivered under pressure, hitting his approach shot to nine feet and sinking the birdie putt. His clutch performance brought LAGC within one point, 4-3, with two holes remaining.
“It feels like a college basketball game right now,” Theegala commented. “You know you’re going to get on runs. You just have to wait for your time.”
Tying the Match in Style
The moment belonged to Collin Morikawa at the 14th hole. His precise tee shot landed just six feet from the hole, setting up an easy birdie putt to tie the match at 4-4. This capped a remarkable three-hole rally and set the stage for an intense overtime battle.
Los Angeles, now in first place with seven total points in the SoFi Cup Standings, became the first team to officially secure a postseason berth.
Overtime Thriller
Despite an outstanding performance from New York, their efforts were not enough to secure victory. Rickie Fowler set a TGL record with a 36-foot birdie putt on the first overtime hole, only to be surpassed by Cameron Young’s incredible 38-foot putt on the fourth. Matt Fitzpatrick also delivered under pressure, making a critical 10-foot par putt to tie the eighth hole after accepting a Hammer throw from Los Angeles.
Finau made his presence known early, adding to the electrifying atmosphere by performing the Crip Walk before his opening tee shot—a nod to LAGC co-owner Serena Williams, who was in attendance and had famously performed the same dance during a Super Bowl halftime show.
The six-time PGA TOUR winner was fully immersed in the experience, even FaceTiming his kids from the SoFi Center before the match. “I’m so impressed with this place,” Finau said. “I couldn’t believe how big it was. I’ve watched a lot of matches, and it’s really cool to finally be here.”
What’s Next?
Despite the loss, New York remains in fourth place and still has a chance to make the playoffs after earning one point from the overtime defeat.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, will fight for the top seed in their next match against The Bay Golf Club on March 3 at 3 p.m. ET. New York will return to action in the second half of a doubleheader, facing Boston Common Golf at 7 p.m. ET.
With the playoffs approaching, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their final opportunities to secure their standings in the postseason race.
