When TGL's first season began, Rory McIlroy's Boston Common Team was an odds-on favorite to win +350 Sophie CupKeith Stewart and Please read the line. McIlroy has Matsuyama Hideki, Adam Scott and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley playing alongside him. All of them rank in the top 30 in the world.
However, there is only one game left in the regular season, and Boston needs external help to avoid elimination.
Justin Thomas, Billy Horschel and Atlanta Drive's Patrick Cantray defeated McIlroy, Matsuyama and Bradley 6-3, ordering Boston for his fourth defeat. McIlroy and Company must cheer for the Bay facing the Tiger Woods-Less Jupiter Links team on Tuesday night. If Jupiter Link wins, they will eliminate Boston from playoff competition. Only the top four teams are eligible for the postseason, with Boston currently sitting in sixth place. This is the ranking seller.
“We came here with real hopes of winning here,” Bradley said.
“We got off to a slightly slower start. We didn't do that well at first, but we picked it up at the end. A good shot of the Atlanta boys beat us in the end.”
A pivotal point of the Monday night match came on the par 3 12th during singles. Boston and Atlanta are tied to two McIlroy and Cantlay face off.
At just 162 yards, Cantray fired a laser three feet away. McIlroy hit his approach right next to the green and settled about 20 feet out of the cup. Atlanta then threw a hammer. McIlroy couldn't save pars and gave the drive a big 2 points.
“The big turning point is obviously, after Patrick hit it near the hole we played, they threw a hammer and I felt like I had to accept it,” McIlroy said. said.
“I was hoping at least I had the opportunity to tie that hole and do a good run with the tip. But then I got those two points and then proceeded to 4-2 at that point, obviously a big deal. It was a turning point.
“It was tough. We played pretty well. We were hanging there in the triple and were disappointed that we didn't finish the job.”
Bradley then birded the next hole, a driveable par 4, 13th place. but Thomas hit an epic wedge shot – One of the best TGL's history – tie it up.
After one hole, Horseshell and Matsuyama arrived at par 3, 14th place, each with 142 yards. However, Horchel's ball settled down about four inches from Matsuyama's ball. In matchplay, you can put your put first and put pressure on your opponent once they make it. Horschel did just that, and Atlanta threw another hammer and raised Matsuyama's birdie try ante. Once he makes it, they'll cut the hole in half. Miss gives Atlanta two more points, thus giving him a victory.
Matsuyama missed it, but sent Atlanta to the playoffs and turned Boston into a Bay fan.
“Hideki hit a great par-3 shot and a good putt,” McIlroy said.
“It didn't break to the right, as we thought.”
Similar sentiment can be said about Boston's first campaign at TGL. At this point in the season, no one would have thought that they would no longer control their fate. But it's where they are and proves that anything can happen indoors and golf.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
