Robert TheodorsonIf there’s a safer bet in golf right now than Billy Horschel staring down a ridiculous putt with the match wobbling on a knife-edge, I’ve not seen it. Sunday’s TGL presented by SoFi Season 2 opener began with banners, noise and fresh lineups—and ended the same way Atlanta finished last season: Horschel pouring in something outrageous to send New York home with that familiar “you’ve got to be kidding me” stare.
Last season’s finals rematch did not disappoint.
Atlanta Drive GC beat New York Golf Club 6–4 at SoFi Center, and the finishing blow was a 37-foot eagle on the final hole of Singles—officially measured at 37 ft 5 in., the second-longest putt in TGL history—eerily reminiscent of the Finals-deciding dagger he hit against the same opponents last season.
Alternates Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners stepped in for Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover, and Atlanta still carried itself like a team that expects to be standing at the end of the night.
“It was fun to be with these boys tonight,” Horschel said. “What a heckuva start to TGL Season 2.”
New York broke an early stalemate by winning the 4th on triples.
Atlanta responded with fire and fury by picking up four straight points including the hammer challenge on the 9th, the final hole for triples.
New York made things interesting by responding in kind with three straight points, two coming from Matt Fittzpatrick which tied the match 4 – 4 after 14 holes.
Once again, it was Billy Horschel who caught lightning in a bottle by sinking a near-record-breaking putt (37 ft 5 in.) on the 15th, giving the Atlanta Drive a 6 – 4 advantage with Billy and his squad walking it off in championship fashion.
Both teams were assessed a one-stroke penalty on the 6th ‘Stinger’ the much-anticipated hole modelled on Tiger Woods’ famous stinger shot. The hole resulted in a tie.
Match MVP
Who else but Billy Horschel?
The first match of Season 2 ended in similar fashion to the conclusion of Season 1 – an improbable clutch putt from Billy Horschel giving Atlanta the win. The fact that Horschel walked it off for Atlanta made the moment all the sweeter.
For New York, the loss is a bitter one, but Matt Fitzpatrick has put his name in for early MVP consideration by winning a hammer challenge on 11 and sinking a 21-foot putt on the 14th which gave New York a fighting chance by tying the match up 4 – 4.
Standout Stats
New York outdrove Atlanta by an average of 42 yards.
New York AVG – 328
Atlanta AVG – 286
New York seemingly dominated around the putting green hitting 80% within 10 feet and 25% 10 – 30, the latter of which was populated by Matt Fitzpatrick’s tying putt.
“I had the honour of hitting a lot of the fun tee shots. I don’t think they expected that Stinger hole to go that way, but I would imagine it was rather entertaining. It was cool to see our teammate Cam hit like a 50-yard hook into a screen. That was pretty cool.” – Xander Schauffele
Then Billy Horschel did the Billy Horschel thing
Atlanta’s most important stat of the day was hitting 50% over 30 feet which was of course, Horschel’s walk-off putt. The putt which measured at 37 ft 5in was the second longest in TGL history.
Atlanta won the Hammer challenge 2 – 1, including the 15th ‘Quick Draw’ featuring the walk-off putt.
“I’ve hit a couple putts tonight that I thought were in, came up just short. I just said, make sure I hit it hard enough. Chris and I looked at the putt. We both agreed with the way we thought it was breaking. About five feet out, it looked really good. I just hoped that it had enough speed to get there, and it went in. Obviously very reminiscent to last season, that big putt we made to win the match sort of on the 14th hole, or take a lead. Obviously I don’t like New York Golf Club very much, and I just like breaking their hearts a little bit.” – Billy Horschel
Standout stats that explain the chaos
The numbers tell you exactly how New York stayed alive—and how Atlanta finished the job:
- Driving distance: New York outdrove Atlanta by an average of 42 yards
- New York AVG — 328
- Atlanta AVG — 286
- Putting (New York): 80% holed inside 10 feet; 25% from 10–30 feet (including Fitzpatrick’s tying putt)
- Long putts (Atlanta): 50% made from 30+ feet—anchored by Horschel’s 37′ 5″ walk-off
- Hammer challenges: Atlanta won 2–1, including the finish sequence that sealed it
Next on Tap
What’s next in TGL Season 2
Season 2 resumes Friday, January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2 (that is 12:00 AM GMT on Saturday, January 3 in the UK). Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf faces Los Angeles Golf Club.
Atlanta is back on Tue., Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN against The Bay Golf Club. New York returns on Tue., Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN in a primetime matchup with Jupiter Links Golf Club—and if you’re New York, that’s the only sane response: get back on the horse, because last season they started 0–2 and still reached the Finals.
The bottom line
New York had the better raw power off the tee, and for long spells it putted like a team that knows exactly how these matches swing.
But when the finishing moment arrived—again—Billy Horschel turned the last hole into his personal stage and reminded everyone why Atlanta began the night raising a banner.
Check back with LoveLiveGolf.com before Friday for a preview of the BOS/LA matchup.
