Robert TheodorsonThe first TGL doubleheader of the season ended with Atlanta Drive GC finishing the regular season and punching their ticket to the playoffs to begin their title defense.
Los Angeles kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant performance over Atlanta in the second match of the night
Match 1 of 2: ATL def. BOS 5 – 2
Atlanta took the first match of the doubleheader and handily defeated Boston Common 5 – 2 behind solid triples play and a heroic performance from two-time champion this season, Chris Gotterup.
Atlanta minimized mistakes through triples play by going up 3 – 2 and capitalized on some costly errors from the Boston trio throughout the match.
From tee to green, Atlanta owned the stats throughout the match. The lone bright spot for Boston was perhaps Keegan Bradley’s incredible 384-yard drive – a drive that was just a few feet away from landing the green on a Par 4.
Atlanta was better in scrambling (80%) and absolutely dominated in short putts (0 – 10 feet) with a perfect 100%. Putting is also ultimately lost the match for Boston as Bradley, Thorbjornsen, and McIlroy (outside a meaningless 30+ foot putt when the hole was no longer in question) missed several opportunities.
Chris Gotterup once again stole the show by taking arguably the most important two points of the match from Rory McIlroy.
JT and Patrick Cantlay successfully defended against a last-ditch effort from Boston when the Ballfrogs threw two consecutive hammers on holes 14 and 15 in an attempt to bring the score to a draw and go for the win.
Match 2 of 2: LA def. ATL 7 – 3
Los Angeles’ full lineup of Colin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Rose stormed into the SoFi Center with swagger and attitude which reflected early and often on the scoreboard.
LA’s onslaught began early with three straight points earned in triples play. LA and ATL traded blows late, going into singles 5 – 2in Los Angeles’ favor.
Billy Horschel had a chance to tie the game 5 – 5 on Stinger after throwing the pre-tee box hammer. Horschel’s putt missed by approximately one ball length and left Atlanta with zero hammers going into the 14th hole.
LA denied Atlanta their second win of the night and improved their record to 2 – 2 – 0 on the season. With the win Los Angeles has one match left against New York on March 2nd and with it, their last chance to make the postseason.
Looking Ahead – More TGL Action, Palm Beach’s Cognizant Classic, and JT’s First Pro Tournament Since Surgery
Michael Thorbjornsen will stay local this week as he and The Bay’s Shane Lowry, among others, will take part in this year’s Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach.
Justin Thomas reaffirmed his decision to play next week in The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Keegan Bradley will stick around Palm Beach to join teammates Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott for tomorrow night’s TGL action when Boston Common once again looks to secure a playoff berth against The New York Golf Club in the second half of tomorrow’s doubleheader.
