Clutch putting from rookie gives Rory McIlroy's Boston Common its first TGL victory

The first match of TGL's second season last Sunday was as exciting as it gets, but Boston and Los Angeles also turned in an instant classic on Friday night.

As this match was scheduled, all eyes fell on Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, as both golfers were naturally asked about last year's Masters. Little did any of us know that a 24-year-old rookie would steal the spotlight.

The TGL rookie and latest Boston signee, Michael Thorbjornsen, showed his nerves in his very first shot of the match when he flubbed a bunker shot, but that would be the extent of his errors. Thorbjornsen, who turned pro in 2024, showed the poise of a veteran with a TGL record of four putts made of 10 or more feet.

McIlroy Talks LIV During Pregame Interview

Before the match began, ESPN's Scott Van Pelt spent some time talking with Rory McIlroy. Earlier in the week, it was reported that Brooks Koepka had left LIV Golf, and speculation has surrounded his willingness to return to the PGA Tour.

McIlroy alluded to this in his interview and is open to those players rejoining the tour and even playing in the TGL. This has shown considerable growth on McIlroy's part, as he was once very critical of players leaving the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed series.

Triples

The beginning of Friday night's match showed that both teams were able to bounce back from adversity as neither team was able to grab momentum and keep it.

Los Angeles sent out Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala, all of whom are on the current roster and made multiple appearances last year. Some rust was shown on the part of Los Angeles, especially Theegala, as he hit multiple shots into the penalty area.

After LA took a 2-1 lead after the third hole, we saw fireworks as Theegala made up for his poor shot on the second hole to chip in from over 70 feet.

Los Angeles saw this opportunity to throw the hammer and put pressure on the young Thorbjornsen, but the rookie made an 11-foot putt to tie the hole.

As this match continued, Thorbjornsen was able to hit the only fairway on the famous "Stinger" hole, as Theegala again put his tee shot out of play. Boston was able to win that hole, and once again, LA answered by winning the following hole as Morikawa made a 13-foot putt.

A key moment of the match occurred on the 8th hole, when Los Angeles accepted a hammer from Boston, and McIlroy drained another putt from beyond 10 feet to secure the two points. Finally, to end triples play, Los Angeles was able to win the final hole on McIlroy's errant 5-wood into the penalty area, which made the score 4-4 going into singles.

Singles

In poetic fashion, McIlroy was paired up against Rose, and yet again, McIlroy claimed the upper hand. The big drive of McIlroy claimed him the first hole of singles to give Boston a 5-4 advantage. But once again, Boston gave the lead back, as Keegan Bradley hit his driver to the penalty area and Morikawa was able to take advantage and tie the match up again at five.

It was at this point that Thorbjornsen and his putter took control of the match. After two good tee shots on the par-3, 'Cenote', Thorbjornsen was able to convert a 17-foot putt while Theegala missed his to the left.

Hammers were in play over the next two holes, as Los Angeles pushed to gain ground, but a clutch putt from McIlroy combined with a miss by Morikawa ultimately resulted in both holes being halved. With a 6-5 lead in the last hole, it once again came down to Thorbjornsen and his putter as he made a 16-foot putt to win the hole and the match.

Boston's putting was on full display tonight after being the worst putting team of 2025. As a team, Boston made six putts from 10 to 20 feet only six times all of last season. They converted six putts of that distance on their own tonight. TGL and conventional golf continue to demonstrate that if you want to win, then you need to do it on the green, and Boston did just that.

Looking Ahead

The next TGL match takes place on Tuesday, January 6, as The Bay Golf Club (0-0-0) takes on the Atlanta Drive GC (1-0-0). Rosters for the match have been set as Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, and Wyndham Clark go for The Bay Golf Club, and Billy Horschel, Chris Gotterup, and Patrick Cantlay tee it up for the Atlanta Drive GC.