There had been plenty of build-up to the event and, with Woods walking out to the Rocky theme tune, along with plenty of smoke and his iconic red polo, it was set-up to be an enthralling few hours of action.
What's more, as Woods pulled out 'The Hammer' before a golf ball had even been struck, it was clear what the intentions were of the 15-time Major winner, as he struck the first golf ball of his TGL career.
However, through the first four holes, the LAGC trio of Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala weren't messing around and, after winning three holes on the bounce, they found themselves 5-0 up on Woods, Kevin Kisner and Max Homa.
Although Jupiter Links GC did claw back a point at the sixth hole, a victory at the eighth and a double-point win at the ninth meant LAGC led 8-1 going into the Singles aspect of the event, with their victory never looking in doubt.
Claiming the 11th, LAGC rattled off three straight victories to wrap up the match 12-1, in what was a humorous encounter between the two sides.
Highlighting key moments, Jupiter Links GC had numerous penalty shots and, at the 14th hole, Kisner thinned a bunker shot that caused Woods to cry with laughter, as his side were comfortably beaten at the SoFi Center.
Good evening everyone and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of the second match of TGL, where Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links GC faces off against Los Angeles GC, with the action getting underway at 7pm local time (ET).
It's the first appearance for 15-time Major winner, Woods, who co-founded the League alongside Rory McIlroy and Mike McCarley, with it set to be a bumper night of action after last week's maiden venture.
TIGER IS IN THE BUILDING
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The action gets underway in just under an hour and, currently, the players are arriving on site. Donned in his Sun Day Red apparel, Woods looks in the zone as all six players are in the building at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach, Florida.
HOW DOES THE FORMAT WORK?
Before getting underway, it's worth noting how the evening will work. Unlike normal tournaments, which provide 18 holes of action, the TGL is designed to be a fast-paced environment and, consequently, there are 15 holes played in the matches.
The first nine holes consist of 'Triples,' which is a 3 vs 3 alternate shot format, whilst the final six holes are 'Singles', which consist of a rotating head-to-head system.
The Triples session will see the three selected players on each team alternate who tees off on each hole, with players rotating the shots thereafter. Singles work by one player from a team taking on one opponent until the hole is completed. From there, the following player in the team takes on the next from the opposing team, before the third hole features the remaining players from each team. Overall, each player faces the same opponent over two holes until the six Singles holes are completed.
WHO IS PLAYING TONIGHT?
Given it's a three-man event, Jupiter Links GC features Tiger Woods, Kevin Kisner and Max Homa, whilst Los Angeles GC are fielding Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa. The players who are left out are Tom Kim from Jupiter Links GC and Tommy Fleetwood from Los Angeles GC.
WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?
Who you got for week 2? 📺: Tuesday, 7pm ET @espn pic.twitter.com/DikjeeDRFgJanuary 10, 2025
Despite featuring Woods, Kevin Kisner and Max Homa, Los Angeles GC are favorites amongst bookmakers, as Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala tee it up for the LA outlet.
Looking at LAGC, they are one of two teams in the TGL with an OWGR average inside the top 20 - Boston Common GC are the only side to better the quartet. In terms of Jupiter Links GC, they have two of the most successful WGC Match Play players in Woods and Kisner, whilst Homa was one of Team USA's bright sparks at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
THE COURSE
(Image credit: TGL)
Like last week's match, the course selected for this week is made up of some wacky hole designs that will test the players in each and every aspect.
MAX HOMA ENJOYING HIMSELF AT THE SOFI CENTER
"The atmosphere is unreal." - @Maxhoma pic.twitter.com/pSMR39lZ5RJanuary 14, 2025
TIGER TO HIT FIRST TEE SHOT
The drama is building in Florida and, on the ground, reports are claiming that Tiger will be hitting the first tee shot of the evening. What's more, his son, Charlie, has also been spotted alongside his dad as we get closer to the main event.
HERE COME THE SQUADS
First out is Los Angeles GC and, with 2Pac's California Love blaring out, it's Sahith Theegala who takes to the stage first. He is followed by Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose, with all three decked out in all black this evening.
JUPITER LINKS GC IN THE BUILDING
After LAGC, Jupiter Links GC make their entrance, with Max Homa, Kevin Kisner and Tiger taking to the stage in that order. Regarding the walk outs, Tiger has come out to none other than the Rocky theme tune... seems fitting really!
All three are decked out in a the iconic red polo and, not black pants, but beige pants. Let the games begin!
TIGER MEANS BUSINESS
The first tee shot hasn't even been struck and Tiger has thrown 'The Hammer' down! For those who don't know, 'The Hammer' allows teams to up the ante and double the points available on a specific hole from one to two.
Regarding the tee shots, Tiger strikes his fairway wood down the middle, with Rose following him shortly after. This is going to be fun!
OPENING HOLE IS A TIE
After both teams find the fairway at the first, both Kisner and Morikawa miss the green long, with the action now turning to the rotating green in the middle of the arena.
Theegala is up first for LAGC and he clips his wedge shot perfectly to a matter of feet. Up next is Homa, who leaves his wedge shot short from just a few yards. Both convert for par and the hole is tied.
HAMMER THROWN
We doing it? We doing it. pic.twitter.com/cDOV7jtpcaJanuary 15, 2025
HOMA AND THEEGALA FIND THE WATER
The par 5 second is up next and, off the tee, it's advantage LAGC, who find the fairway. However, after Homa finds the drink with his long approach, Theegala follows him in to the water left.
TIGER FINDS THE WATER AND LAGC LEAD
Wow... After Homa and Theegala find the water, Woods hits his wedge shot from 100 yards and airmails the green completely, with his approach ending up in the drink. Some adrenaline flowing obviously!
It's advantage LAGC and, after Rose chips up to around 10-feet, Kisner plays a poor chip to eight-feet. LAGC has two for the win, with Morikawa rolling his putt up to gimme range to give his side the lead.
LAGC PLAY HAMMER AND WIN THIRD HOLE
Tiger was obviously bemused with that shot on the second hole, with the 15-time Major winner claiming "I don't know how it went that far."
Anyhow, at the par 3 third, LAGC take the advantage once again via a classy approach from Morikawa. Jupiter Links GC can't follow and, on the green, LAGC play their hammer! The play works perfectly, as Jupiter Links miss their birdie attempt and LAGC don't, that's now 3-0.
TIGER'S WALKOUT
Tiger's TGL entrance is electric ⚡️🐅📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/orQ9xwAzt9January 15, 2025
HAMMER THROWN ON THE FOURTH
LAGC have made a flying start tonight but, at the par 5 fourth, Rose finds the fairway bunker with his tee shot. The drive causes Jupiter Links' Homa to throw 'The Hammer' down, with Tiger finding the fairway and in perfect position.
NIGHTMARE FOR KISNER
Morikawa is up next for LAGC and, from the fairway bunker, he leaves Theegala in the middle of the fairway from 128-yards. It's still advantage Jupiter Links and, stepping up for them is Kisner, but his approach finds the water short of the green.
After the penalty shot, Theegala puts his wedge to the centre of the dancefloor, with Jupiter's Homa clipping his chip to about six-feet. Advantage LAGC here.
LAGC MOVE 5-0 UP
Jupiter Links GC threw The Hammer down and it has backfired massively! Rose's birdie attempt just misses on the right side, with Tiger giving himself a chance to tie the hole. However, his putt dives left and his Jupiter Links GC side is now 5-0 down through four holes.
FIFTH HOLE TIED IN PARS
Once again, LAGC have the advantage off the tee at the par 3 fifth, with Morikawa putting his approach on the green. In terms of Jupiter Links, Kisner chunks his tee shot, much to the amusement of his fellow professionals, with his shot ending up 30 yards short.
Following the tee shots, Homa plays a classy pitch to nine-feet, whilst Theegala's birdie attempt just misses on the right side and rolls by around six-feet.
Stepping up, Tiger rolls in his par putt with Jupiter Links then calling a time-out as Rose addresses his shot. The wait doesn't seem to affect Rosey, though, who rolls in his par putt to tie the hole.
TIGER STOPS THE BLEEDING
A must-make, made even better with Mom cheering on ❤️️ pic.twitter.com/81muzPXxguJanuary 15, 2025
JUPITER LINKS GC GET ON THE BOARD
LAGC are in trouble off the tee, with Theegala finding trouble on the right hand side. Homa then steps up and finds the fairway but, following his tee shot, Rose plays a stunning approach with a fairway wood to 16-feet. Not to be outdone, Tiger produces a lovely approach of his own, with his mid-iron finishing 10-feet away.
On the green, LAGC's Morikawa steps up and sees his putt slide by the right side at pace and, following the miss, LAGC concede the hole to give Jupiter Links GC their first points of the tournament!
HUGE PUTT FROM THEEGALA
Tiger steps up for Jupiter Links GC and, pulling his iron left, both Kisner and Homa give their team mate a talking to, with it being the one area you can't miss on this green.
In LAGC's world, Rose also goes left, but short enough to not be in much danger. Despite Jupiter Links being short-sided, Kisner plays a delightful pitch that is conceded for par, with Morikawa's chip running well by.
Theegala now has a nine-footer to tie and, with a few seconds remaining, he calls a time-out, much to the annoyance of those in attendance. The PGA Tour winner makes the most of it though, holing the putt to stall any momentum in Jupiter's favor.
Kisner is up first for Jupiter Links and, hitting a fairway wood, he finds the short grass. In terms of Morikawa, he bombs his tee shot 306 yards and over all the fairway bunkers, leaving his team mate a much shorter approach.
Playing their approaches, Homa hits his second right down the flag, but it comes up short and into the greenside bunker. That opens the door to Theegala, who strikes his approach into the heart of the green.
Next up, Tiger plays from the bunker and almost slams it, with the ball finishing around eight-feet by. That leaves Rose a chance to move further ahead and, striking his putt, it drops in to move LAGC 6-1 up.
LAGC LEAD 8-1 AFTER TRIPLES
It's been very comfortable for LAGC and, at the par 5 ninth, they are up near the green in two, whilst Jupiter Links miss the green in three.
Prior to striking their third, LAGC call for 'The Hammer' and, from the greenside bunker, Morikawa plays a very poor shot that rolls back down the ridge and finishes 20-feet from the flag.
The door is ajar for Homa, who plays a delightful bunker shot to leave Woods with a makeable par putt. Theegala still has a chance to take the win, but his birdie attempt just misses, putting the pressure on Tiger to make for the tie. Calling a time-out, his attempt doesn't even scare the hole, as LAGC move 8-1 ahead after the Triples portion of the event.
LAGC IN COMMAND
With seconds to spare... pic.twitter.com/OTIFJWgeoHJanuary 15, 2025
MOVING TO THE SINGLES
After the Triples it's time for the Singles match-up and, to lead us off, is Tiger Woods v Justin Rose. After, it'll be Collin Morikawa v Kevin Kisner and then Sahith Theegala v Max Homa
TIGER STRUGGLING WITH HIS YARDAGES
I can't tell if the simulator maybe off, or if Tiger is, but that's yet another wedge shot that goes well long of the flag from the 15-time Major winner, with Tiger looking rather bemused.
Up on the green, it is Tiger to go first and, striking his birdie putt from 35-feet, it runs well past the hole. Faced with a similar putt, Rose makes a better job of it, leaving it a few feet from the flag.
Realistically, Tiger needs to hole his 15-footer for the tie, but his attempt slides by. To add to the pain further, The Hammer is thrown down but, amazingly, Rosey misses and the hole is tied.
MORIKAWA EXTENDS LAGC'S LEAD
Morikawa finds the fairway with his tee shot at the 11th and, in terms of Kisner, his struggles continue, as his pulled tee shot finishes down the ravine.
Only able to lay up, it's advantage Morikawa, but his approach finishes right of the green. That opens the door slightly for Kisner, but his third shot finishes short and, following a classy flop shot from Morikawa, it's now 9-1 to LAGC.
TIES AT THE 12TH
They haven't won a point since the sixth hole but, at the par 3 12th, Homa has a chance to secure a point for Jupiter Links. However, from eight-feet, his putt misses on the left side and the score remains 9-1.
LAGC MOVE TO DOUBLE FIGURES
LAGC's Rose steps up first and bombs a 311-yard drive down the centre of the fairway at the par 4 13th, with the Englishman in prime position to go at the flag with his next.
On the tee is now Tiger and, after hitting his drive down the middle, it somehow finds the penalty area, with his third shot then pulled into the greenside bunker. To compound his problems further, he leaves his fourth shot in the bunker, but plays a delightful fifth to gimme range for a double bogey six.
In terms of Rose, he plays his third to gimme range and the putt is conceded, moving LAGC 10-1 ahead with two holes remaining.
KISNER STRIKES THE FLAG
Well, that could have gone badly! Finding the bunker, Kisner then thins his second out of the sand and, thankfully, it hits the flag square on and ricochets into the other bunker on the other side of the green. Amazingly, he nearly holes his third, with Tiger, literally, crying with laughter!
MORIKAWA MAKES IT 11-1
After that hilarious moment, Morikawa gets up-and-down for par to take the hole and lead 11-1 with one hole remaining.
SHOT OF THE NIGHT FROM THEEGALA
We've known the result for some time but, at the final hole, Theegala puts his approach to near gimme range to set up an eagle. With Homa in trouble, after Jupiter Links finds yet another hazard, Theegala claims the 12th point of the night to cap off a dominant 12-1 display for LAGC.
And, just like that, the second ever TGL match is over, with Los Angeles GC dominating Jupiter Links GC in a 12-1 demolition. Next week, New York GC returns as they look to avenge their opening loss against Atlanta Drive GC.
