Atlanta Drive GC defeated New York Golf Club 6-4 in the thrilling TGL Season 2 opener in what a rematch of their Season 1 final showdown.
The second season of the TGL got underway with a repeat of the 2025 final and it was a familiar outcome at SoFi Center in Florida on December 28.
Having won the inaugural TGL title courtesy of a 2-0 victory over New York Golf Club in the best-of-three series last match, Atlanta Drive GC won again to start Season 2 in style.
How The TGL Season 2 Opener Unfolded
The reigning champions overcame injuries and a late comeback attempt in this finals rematch as Billy Horschel sealed the victory with a dramatic 37-foot eagle putt on the final hole, marking one of the longest in TGL history.
Atlanta featured Billy Horschel alongside alternates Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners, who were stepping in for injured players Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover and Justin Thomas.
New York Golf Club fielded a strong line-up with Xander Schauffele joined by Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick, but they were edged out by Atlanta once again.
Holes 1-3 and 5-7 ended in ties, with New York taking an early 1-0 lead on Hole 4 – the Big Apple, which is their team hole as one of the new changes to the format for 2026.
Atlanta levelled things by winning the eighth hole and then surged into a 3-1 lead at the end of the pairs phase after accepting a hammer and birdieing the ninth hole for two point lead.
The reigning champions extended that lead to 4-1 by hole 10 thanks to Gotterup’s win over Young as the single phase began.
New York rallied and levelled it again at 4-4 thanks to wins for Fitzpatrick (holes 11 & 14) and Young (hole 13).
On hole 15, Atlanta’s Hammer doubled the stakes and it paid dividends as Horschel drained the clutch 37-foot eagle putt for the win.
Horschel, who sank the winning putt, said: “These guys stepped up huge with our injuries – we’re built for moments like this.”
Chris Gotterup, who broke his driver in the build up before hitting a 295-yard opening drive, added: “That 295-yard bomb to start? Pure fire – shows what alternates bring to the table.”
New York’s Cameron Young said: “We fought back to 4-4, but their Hammer on 15 was gutsy. Respect to Atlanta.”
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.
Get more golf news, reviews and the latest equipment launches. Join our Reddit community for daily updates.