The first match of the three best series of the first ever TGL Championship was held on Monday night as Atlanta Drive Golf Club and New York Golf Club faced off against each other head to the Sophie Cup.
Atlanta Drive GC took part in the playoffs as the third seed, beating Bay Golf Club to win a championship spot. New York GC is the fourth seed, upsetting top seeded Los Angeles GC in the semi-finals.
Justin Thomas, Billy Horschel and Patrick Cantray were active in Atlanta, but Lucas Glover didn’t play. For New York, Cameron Young, Ricky Fowler and Xander Schaufere were active. Matt Fitzpatrick was inactive.
Atlanta beat New York 6-5 in a game that came down to the final hole.
This is the best moment since Monday’s game.
Young and Thomas’ first kickoff championship match
The first tee shot of the TGL Final. pic.twitter.com/fa9pclbvgl
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
Young in New York and Thomas in Atlanta launched the action in hole 1 with a drive of 330 and 338 yards, respectively. The hole was finished with a tie.
Cantrey, Shaufele hit back to back near hole inon
Absolute dirt. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/whe37zprz3
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
…and Shaufele replies, Goooo. pic.twitter.com/cobhlew8lh
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
When Cantray appeared to put Atlanta in a position to extend his early lead with a hole-in-one close to hole 3, Schaufere stepped into the tee and followed up with impressive shots to give him the opportunity to tie him down to New York. Cantrey’s shot landed two feet away from the hole, while Schauferle’s shot landed just three feet away.
Fowler almost sinks long chip shots
Ricky makes these tricky shots look easy. pic.twitter.com/f5bu0zb789
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
Fowler was putting pressure on Atlanta in the final hole of the triple. Fowler had a 50-foot chip shot on his third shot at New York’s hole 9, so Atlanta had to sink a 28-foot putt and remain tied 2-2. Unfortunately for New York, Fowler’s shot was three feet to the left of the hole, and Atlanta got a tie and got capitalized.
New York GC gets a 2-point lead
🔨Strategy 101. pic.twitter.com/vwvlnwv8a2
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
The third shot, missing Thomas’ third shot at hole 10, gave New York the necessary opening to lead late. Following the mistake, New York threw a hammer – doubling the value of the hole – Young sunk a 9-foot putt to give New York a 4-2 lead.
Horschel hits clutch shot
New York’s lead didn’t last long. The team fell into a similar situation at Hall 11, so Atlanta appeared in Hall 10. After Fowler missed it on his third shot, Atlanta threw a hammer and Horschel dug a putt near 12 feet to tie the match 4-4.
NYGC will regain its lead
Cam grabs the New York lead. pic.twitter.com/s0dvtbx9nu
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
New York continued to demonstrate its ability to capitalize on Atlanta’s mistakes at Hall 13. After Thomas missed a 7-foot putt on the fourth shot, Young hit a 3-foot putt to give him a 5-4 lead.
Cantray seals Atlanta’s victory
It all came down to the final hole: ATL wins Final 1. pic.twitter.com/f5dxkwfa8b
-DGL (@TGL) March 25, 2025
The final hole of the match came down to a 6-foot putt near Cantrey and Schaufele. Cantrey sunk his putt, but Schaufere missed his shot slightly, giving Atlanta a 6-5 victory.