Robert TheodorsonThe long wait is finally over as TGL returns this Sunday, December 28th featuring last season’s finals rematch in which The Atlanta Drive defeated New York Golf Club to claim the league’s first-ever championship!
Season 1 hero Billy Horschel starts the title defence for the Atlanta Drive at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC. This much-anticipated finals rematch will kick off the second season of the tech-infused Tomorrow’s Golf League, co-founded by PGA Tour stars Tiger Woods (Jupiter Links) and Rory McIlroy (Boston Common Golf).
Last season Atlanta defeated New York 4 – 0 during their lone regular-season matchup on January 21, 2025.
The Drive then proceeded to sweep New York in the finals two games to none going 6 – 5 and 4 – 3 in the first and second rounds, respectively, capturing the league’s first championship.
Team Lineups and Featured Holes
New York
- Xander Schauffele
- Cameron Young
- Matt Fitzpatrick
Atlanta
- Billy Horschel
- Patrick Cantlay
- Lucas Glover
Not Playing
NY – Rickie Fowler
ATL – Justin Thomas
New Confirmed Holes
- Stone and Steeple; Par 5; 592 Yards; Hole 2
- Stinger; Par 4; 416 Yards; Hole 6
- Cenote; Par 3; 269 Yards; Hole 12
Stinger is one of, if not the most anticipated new holes featured on Season 2’s lineup. The Tiger Woods-inspired hole is a beautiful Par 4 that features a natural rock bridge formation running along a river inside a luscious green and red rock canyon.
New Team-Specific Unique Holes
- Fore-0-Fore (Atlanta Drive); Par 5; 622 Yards; Hole 9
- Big Apple (New York); Par 5; 614 Yards; Hole 4
Season 2 will feature unique holes for each team and The Atlanta Drive has added a reminder to theirs that they are the reigning champions – a gigantic billboard that reads “TGL INAGURAL CHAMPIONS” situated next to a recreation of SkyView Atlanta, the city’s famous Ferris wheel.
Projected Top Performers
New York Golf Club
Rickie Fowler finished Season 1 T2 in Total Points Won, tied with New York Golf Club teammate Cameron Young and seven points behind league leader Wyndham Clark. Fowler’s absence off the opening day roster is highly dubious, though it is important to remember that the trio of Schauffele, Young, and Fitzpatrick are more likely to be in form and game-ready as all three were Ryder Cup participants.
The Xander Schauffele that appeared on TGL Season 1 isn’t necessarily the Xander Schauffele we’re going to get in Season 2, and that’s good news for New York.
This time last year Schauffele was in the midst of recovering from injuries suffered at the end of his 2024 campaign in which he won the PGA Championship and The Open. On the PGA Tour, Schauffele got better and better as time passed and eventually regained his championship form.
After a somewhat pedestrian 2025 season, Matt Fitzpatrick finished the season strong, capturing the 2025 DP World Tour Championship, defeating Rory McIlroy in a playoff. Fitzpatrick could be the surprise golfer of Season 2.
Atlanta Drive
For the Atlanta Drive, de facto team MVP Billy Horschel is back in action after missing most of the 2025 season with injury. Horschel’s most recent outing, 15th place in the Hero World Challenge signals that one of TGL’s best golfers is back in business.
The decision to start Lucas Glover over Justin Thomas is certainly a choice. Statistically, Glover was the lowest performing member of Atlanta last season while JT was second on Atlanta and T12 amongst all TGL golfers in total points earned.
Patrick Cantlay performed admirably the last time we saw him playing for Team USA at The Ryder Cup and will look to make a name for himself this season as he tries to regain his elite form 2023 and before.
Final Predictions
We like New York to take this finals rematch and start the season 1 – 0 – 0. After getting swept three games to none last season New York has a chip on their shoulder and will want to make a statement early.
A resurgent Xander Schauffele should be the standout player for New York with an able Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young filling out a deceptively powerful lineup.
Rickie Fowler’s absence is negated by the fact that Atlanta is deciding to bench JT. Had Atlanta gone with JT over Glover this match might have been a bit closer, but I suspect we won’t see the real Atlanta Drive until later this season.
Whether Billy Horschel will carry any rust into the season opener is anyone’s guess. The Florida native looks good to go and if Atlanta has any real shot at winning this, it will be at the end of Horschel’s clubs.
