Atlanta Drive GC, led by Justin Thomas, achieved a convincing 9-3 playoff victory against The Bay Golf Club on Tuesday night in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, thanks in part to a fortunate bounce on the 10th hole.
Thomas` lucky break on the 10th hole extended Atlanta`s lead, contributing to their dominant performance. They are now set to compete against the New York Golf Club, spearheaded by Xander Schauffele, in the best-of-three championship series next week for a $9 million prize.
Looking forward to the finals, Thomas expressed confidence in his team, stating, `As we`ve seen in our matches and all the matches, each night brings something different. However, I have confidence in our team and our chances.`
The Atlanta team, consisting of Thomas, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay, demonstrated strong and consistent play against The Bay`s international lineup of Shane Lowry, Min Woo Lee, and Ludvig Åberg.
The Bay was missing Wyndham Clark, their top-performing player this season, due to a neck injury sustained at last week`s Players Championship.
Atlanta established a 4-2 lead after the initial nine holes of triples play. The match then transitioned to singles play on the par-5 10th hole, where Thomas faced off against Lowry.
Both players hit their drives onto the virtual fairway. However, Lowry`s 3-iron approach shot hooked left into the water. Thomas then hit a 4-iron that seemed destined for a hazard on the right side of the green, but it took an unexpected bounce to safety. Thomas ultimately secured the hole with a two-putt par.
Rory McIlroy, who recently won the Players Championship and was providing guest commentary, remarked on Thomas` lucky bounce, saying, `That is the luckiest bounce I`ve ever seen.`
Cantlay widened Atlanta`s lead further by birdieing the par-3 12th hole against Aberg. On this hole, both teams utilized their `hammer,` tripling the points at stake.
Horschel acknowledged their good fortune, stating, `We had some stuff go in our favor tonight, which sometimes you need.`
Thomas added, emphasizing the team effort, `We all played really well tonight. We all contributed.`
