The TGL playoffs continued Tuesday night with a compelling match between The Bay Golf Club and Atlanta Drive Golf Club.
The Bay GC, entering the postseason as the No. 2 seed, had previously experienced their only defeat of the season against Los Angeles Golf Club on March 3rd, which cost them the top playoff seed. Atlanta Drive GC, the third seed, had only lost once this season as well, coincidentally against The Bay on February 17th.
The Bay’s lineup featured Min Woo Lee, Ludvig Åberg, and Shane Lowry, with Wyndham Clark sitting out. Atlanta was represented by Justin Thomas, Billy Horschel, and Patrick Cantlay, while Lucas Glover was inactive.
Atlanta emerged victorious, defeating The Bay with a score of 9-3. This win propels Atlanta into the finals where they will compete against New York GC in a best-of-three series scheduled for March 24th and 25th.
Here are some of the standout moments from Tuesday’s TGL playoff match.
Lee’s Powerful 190 mph Drive
Continuing his regular season form as the league leader in both average driver distance and speed, Lee showcased his power on his first drive of the night. He powerfully struck the ball, sending it 328 yards with a peak speed of 190 miles per hour.
Star-Studded Playoff Atmosphere
The second match of the TGL semifinals attracted a host of celebrities. Among the notable attendees were former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, golfer Rory McIlroy, and Atlanta Falcons players Michael Penix Jr. and Kyle Pitts.
Lowry’s Near Bunker Shot Masterpiece
In an attempt to prevent Atlanta from scoring on Hole 8, Lowry almost executed a remarkable 40-foot chip shot from the bunker for par. The shot tracked perfectly towards the hole, but unfortunately, the ball just barely missed to the right as it approached the cup.
Thomas’s Fortunate Bounce on Hole 10
Thomas benefited from a stroke of luck during his second shot on Hole 10. The ball was clearly headed out of bounds but miraculously bounced back into play after hitting in a restricted area. Even Rory McIlroy, commentating on the broadcast, expressed his amazement, calling it ‘the luckiest bounce’ he had ever witnessed.
Cantlay’s Near Hole-in-One Secures Victory
Facing elimination, The Bay strategically used their last ‘hammer’ on Hole 12, doubling the hole’s point value. However, Cantlay responded immediately with an exceptional shot that nearly resulted in a hole-in-one.
The ball landed just under four feet from the hole. To solidify their victory, Atlanta also played their final ‘hammer’, tripling the hole’s points. Cantlay then confidently made the putt, securing the win for Atlanta.
