TGL kicked off its highly anticipated second season with the Atlanta Drive GC defeating the New York Golf Club by a score of 6-4 on a 37-foot putt made by Billy Horschel.
While this league may not appeal to purists of the game, it has successfully achieved its goal of showcasing more of the players’ personalities (Patrick Cantlay excluded). The TGL is looking to expand on its successful first season by refining some areas that needed improvement while putting more money and time into areas that fell short.
Two new names were added to Atlanta's roster
Atlanta had three of its four golfers sidelined by injury, with Justin Thomas recovering from back surgery and both Lucas Glover and Patrick Cantlay out for the first week. Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners both stepped in on one-match contracts to make their TGL debuts for the defending champions. Billy Horschel was the lone golfer from last year's team to play in their first game, and he served as captain in week one.
Chris Gotterup led the new season off by stepping to the tee for the first hole, and he responded to the different type of pressure well by hitting the fairway. Both golfers performed well in their debuts, though it was clear they were not accustomed to putting on the green. Gotterup was able to win a hole in singles, and they both made some clutch bunker shots to secure victories on the alternate shot portion of the match.
New York almost completes the comeback
This season's opening match was also more competitive than that of last year, as New York lost to the Bay Golf Club by a score of 9-2. It was exactly the type of match that TGL promoters would want, as they were competing for viewership with the NFL. After falling behind 4-1 after 10 holes, New York won three of the next four holes to tie the match heading into the last hole.
We definitely saw the experience and putting come in clutch especially for Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young. New York also capitalized on an errant tee shot by Corey Conners as they threw the hammer and won an easy point.
Fitzpatrick and Young both hit 20-plus-foot putts to secure the victory for their holes in the singles competition. Unfortunately for them, Xander Schauffele (who mentioned he was rusty on multiple occasions) was unable to make any putts during the entire match.
Billy Horschel is the king of TGL
Horschel is one of the most colorful personalities on the TGL, and he has also performed as well as any individual in the league.
He made a great decision by throwing the hammer on hole nine to double the points and ended up making the hole-winning six-foot putt. However, the defining moment of the match occurred on the last hole when Horschel lined up and sank a 37-foot eagle putt to defeat Schauffele for the match and the victory.
Billy always delivers. pic.twitter.com/3YzgOxZmTB
— TGL (@TGL) December 28, 2025
One can truly tell that Horschel is having a great time out there, and his infectious personality is definitely something that the TGL should lean into moving forward. Ultimately, TGL is not real golf; it is meant to be fun and unique, and to reach a new, younger set of fans. Golf needs all the positive publicity it can get, and Billy Horschel is an individual they can highlight in this league.
The TGL continues on Friday, January 2, as Boston Common Golf looks to win its first-ever match as it faces off against the Los Angeles Golf Club.