Xander Schauffele scored two points during single play, with fourth-seeded New York Golf Club pulling away for a 6-4 upset victory over top-seeded Los Angeles Golf Club in their first match of the TGL playoffs on Monday night at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
New York will advance to next week’s Top 3 Championship Series, facing the winners of Bay Golf Club and Atlanta Drive GC.
After playing the first seven holes evenly, New York got the eighth hole when knocking a birdie putt from the 4 feet set up by Cameron Young’s approach. He defeated Ragk’s Colin Morakawa on a par 5 10th and par 4, while Ricky Fowler defeated England’s Tommy Fleetwood on another New York Point on a par 4 11.
In both single holes, Schaufere won, he “threw a hammer” midhole, trying to double the point value of the hole – when he hit the approach at the 13th 30 feet, approaching closer to the pin than Morikawa. In both cases, LAGC declined the hammer and admitted a single point.
New York was the last squeaking team in the league’s first playoff field.
“I think you’re looking at how we started, you know, it was a poor start,” Schaufele said. “I was looking from home (due to injuries). The boys started a meeting. (Matt Fitzgerald of England) was with us today… I think we’re all very happy.
Fleetwood had the opportunity to keep Laguk alive by winning the 14th hole against Fowler, but his five footer to win escaped. It was the first time Lagc has lost to regulations all year round. The only loss in the regular season was overtime.
“We played really well and I think we had a chance,” said Sahis Tegala of Ragku.