There’s something remarkable about a 37-foot putt that decides a championship rematch. When Billy Horschel drained that eagle bomb on the 15th hole Sunday night to give Atlanta Drive GC a 6-4 victory over New York Golf Club, it wasn’t just a great shot; it was a statement. TGL is back, and it’s better than ever.
The second longest putt in TGL history came at the perfect time. With the match tied 4-4 and everything on the line, Horschel stepped in after Atlanta used the Hammer to double the lead on the final hole. The ball rolled smoothly through the larger GreenZone, dropped and the SoFi Center crowd went wild. That’s what TGL does best: it creates dramatic moments that feel real.
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A revenge worth waiting for
Sunday’s season opener gave us what we wanted: a rematch in the finals that still mattered after last spring. These teams split two close games in Season 1, with Atlanta winning the inaugural SoFiCup. This story made the match intense from the start.
The triples session was difficult, with seven ties on the first nine holes. New York struck first on the “Big Apple,” their signature team hole, taking a 1-0 lead. But Atlanta clawed back, tying things up at 1-1 on hole 8 before taking “Fore-0-Fore” control of their own team hole with a successful hammer throw that gave them a 3-1 lead going into singles.
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Chris Gotterup, replacing the injured Patrick Cantlay, immediately proved himself by beating Cameron Young on hole 10. Corey Conners, who replaced Lucas Glover, had some difficulties, but the team remained strong. Then things got tense: Young won a hole, Matt Fitzpatrick made a huge birdie to tie it 4-4, and suddenly it was anyone’s game.
Why TGL is important
What I like about TGL is that he knows his place. It is not a question of replacing the traditional golf or compete with the majors or the Ryder Cup. Instead, he’s carving out his own place in the golf world and doing it well.
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Watching the 2026 season kick off, I immediately noticed the improvements. The putting surface now looks more like real tour greens. Players read the breaks like they would at Riviera or Bay Hill, and don’t just aim for a target. The team’s signature holes add something I didn’t expect: a real home-court advantage. When Atlanta played “Fore-0-Fore,” you could feel a change in confidence. They knew this hole. They had practiced it. It matters.
But the real genius is the timing. TGL brings us prime-time golf in December and January, when the PGA TOUR is mostly dormant. It’s fast, it’s dramatic and it’s accessible. You don’t need to understand course management at Augusta National to appreciate a 37-foot eagle putt with everything on the line.
Anticipate what comes next
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My hope and true belief is that TGL continues to build this wave. Sunday’s game on ABC marked the league’s debut on the broadcast network, exposing millions of casual sports fans to the format for the first time. If they saw what I saw, they will come back.
The schedule is well planned: 15 regular season games on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, ending with playoffs in March. Each team plays five matches, so every match counts. The doubleheaders on February 23 and 24 are unmissable events.
What I find most exciting is the possibility of expansion. Motor City GC joins us in 2027. Technology will continue to improve. The holes will become more creative. And as more fans discover this format, the energy at SoFi Center will only intensify.
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Final Thoughts
Billy Horschel’s Eagle was more than just a great start to Season 2. It showed why TGL works. TGL brings real drama, spotlights the best players on the PGA Tour and delivers new, authentic entertainment.
My first impressions: Season 2 could consolidate TGL’s place in the current sporting landscape.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on December 28, 2025, where he first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as Favorite source by clicking here.
