TGL Match Preview: Los Angeles Golf Club vs. Boston Common Golf

Date: Friday, January 2
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: SoFi Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Last week, Billy Horschel stunned fans with a breathtaking 37-foot eagle putt to clinch victory for Atlanta Drive in the inaugural match of TGL Season 2. His farewell to the New York Golf Club echoed last year’s TGL championship final, establishing the SoFi Center as his domain. As anticipation mounts for Match 2, we’ll see if Boston Common Golf can break their losing streak against the formidable Los Angeles Golf Club.

Matchup Overview

Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC)

• 2022 Performance: 4 wins, 1 loss (overtime)
• Key Players: Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala
• Season 2 Odds: +100

Boston Common Golf (BCG)

• 2022 Performance: 0 wins, finished last
• Key Players: Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Michael Thorbjornsen
• Season 2 Odds: -125

Format and Lineup

The TGL match format emphasizes strategy, precision, and powerful shots. The teams’ lineups for Match 2 will feature:

• Los Angeles GC:

  • Justin Rose vs. Rory McIlroy (Holes 10, 13)
  • Collin Morikawa vs. Keegan Bradley (Holes 11, 14)
  • Sahith Theegala vs. Michael Thorbjornsen (Holes 12, 15)
• Boston Common Golf:
  • Rory McIlroy
  • Keegan Bradley
  • Michael Thorbjornsen

Team Managers:

• Carl Smith (LAGC)
• Niall O’Connor (BCG)

Sitting Out:

• Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott (BCG)
• Tommy Fleetwood (LAGC)

Course Breakdown

Total Yardage: 6,113 yards
Average Lengths:

• Par 3s: 187 yards
• Par 4s: 427 yards
• Par 5s: 608 yards

New Holes:

• Stone & Steeple (Hole 2, Par 5)
• Stinger (Hole 6, Par 4)
• Cenote (Hole 12, Par 3)

Team Holes:

• Los Angeles GC: Showtime (Hole 9)
• Boston Common Golf: Storrowed (Hole 4)

Both team holes were redesigned from Season 1, providing fresh challenges for players while keeping fans engaged.

Performance Insights

Los Angeles Golf Club dominated last season with the highest points (32) and excels in short-putt efficiency (77%) and driving accuracy (74%). Conversely, Boston Common Golf struggled with scrambling (32%) and short-putt efficiency (55%).

Last season, LAGC defeated BCG 6-2, swiftly taking a lead reminiscent of their previous matchups. The stakes are high, especially for Boston, who are on the hunt for their first TGL win.

Head-to-Head Highlights

• Justin Rose vs. Rory McIlroy: A duel of styles; power meets precision. Their last playoff showdown for the Green Jacket adds intensity to the matchup.

• Collin Morikawa vs. Keegan Bradley: Both golfers excel in ball-striking, with Bradley’s length and Morikawa’s mid-iron skill likely swinging the match in a pivotal moment.

• Sahith Theegala vs. Michael Thorbjornsen: This matchup on Cenote is unpredictable. Both players’ performances will heavily rely on strategy and luck, with Theegala’s strong track record in Singles play poised to give LAGC an edge.

Prediction

The odds favor Boston Common Golf; however, Los Angeles Golf Club’s superior performance in Season 1 makes them the favorite to win Match 2. Fans can expect a thrilling showdown as both teams compete fervently for the SoFi Trophy.

Who will emerge victorious? Tune in Friday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN to find out!