In a stunning turn of events, Justin Thomas’s Atlanta Dive GC outperformed Shane Lowry’s The Bay with a decisive 9-3 victory, securing a spot in the first-ever TGL Golf Finals Series. The Atlanta team, led by Thomas, dominated the match, establishing an early lead with a 5-2 advantage at the par-three 12th hole. Patrick Cantlay’s stellar performance, capped by a clutch putt with three holes remaining, sealed the victory.
The Atlanta Dive GC is now set to face off against Xander Schauffele’s New York, who ousted top-seeded Los Angeles in a thrilling 6-4 win on Monday night. Thomas exuded confidence ahead of the match, expressing enthusiasm for his team’s chances. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said, affirming his belief in his team’s abilities.
Lowry, however, was left ruminating over the loss of a $9 million prize. He drew a comparison between the TGL’s team format and the Ryder Cup’s competitive environment, suggesting that the new tournament may be tapping into a winning formula.
When pressed about the importance of putting in team-based golf during the TGL playoff press conference, Lowry offered a simple response, “That’s golf.” He underscored the point that the team sinking the most putts typically emerges victorious, a principle that holds true not only for TGL but also for golf in general. “The team that holes the most putts wins the Ryder Cup. And I think that’s just team golf,” Lowry added.
Lowry also pointed out that the same principle applies to individual golf. “Even week-in, week-out on the PGA TOUR, the guy who putts the best has a great chance to win,” he said. This idea is the foundation of the “70% Rule” in PGA Tour wins, which posits that winners must hit the Greens in Regulation (GIR), Scrambling, and One-Putts (5-10 feet) — totaling around 70% combined.
The Irish golfer is now setting his sights on the Valspar Championship, the final destination of the Florida Swing, scheduled for March 20 to 23. Lowry, who boasts four top-20 finishes in his last five events, has a promising record, including a recent appearance at The Players Championship. Having previously competed at the Valspar Championship in 2018 and 2022, he brings valuable experience to the table.
Lowry’s performance metrics are also encouraging, with the Clara native ranking seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green and approach play. He has consistently demonstrated proficiency in driving accuracy, bogey avoidance, and scrambling. Lowry’s impressive 92nd percentile ranking for proximity from 150-200 yards over the past year could give him a significant advantage at the Valspar Championship. With odds standing at 33/1, can Lowry bounce back and redeem himself? Only time will tell.
