Schauffele’s Return Propels New York Golf Club to TGL Finals Against Atlanta Drive
As the TGL regular season reached its climax, the New York Golf Club found itself in a must-win scenario against Boston Common Golf. A victory would secure their place in the playoffs, and they received a major boost with the return of Xander Schauffele from injury. Schauffele’s presence proved pivotal, as New York GC delivered a strong performance to clinch a 10-6 win over Rory McIlroy’s squad. Beyond the win itself, Schauffele’s competitive nature and relentless talking became a major talking point, catching the attention of fellow golfer Justin Thomas.
Justin Thomas Praises Schauffele’s Talkative Nature
A post from TGL on social media highlighted Schauffele’s constant chatter on the course, prompting Thomas, a member of Atlanta Drive GC, to share the post on Instagram. He humorously referred to Schauffele as a “real-life talking Energizer bunny,” emphasizing how vocal he is during matches. With both golfers now set to face each other in the TGL Finals, Thomas is looking forward to experiencing Schauffele’s non-stop talking firsthand.
Describing what it’s like to compete against Schauffele, Thomas said, “Xander is just going to be like that little fly that’s just kind of constantly around your head and making noise. And you don’t know if he is talking to you, at you, himself, but he’s just going to be there.” Despite the playful jab, Thomas acknowledged that Schauffele’s personality makes competition more enjoyable.
Longtime Friendship Between Schauffele and Thomas
The rivalry in the TGL Finals will be underscored by the strong friendship between Thomas and Schauffele. The two have been close on and off the course for years, often engaging in playful banter. After Schauffele won Olympic gold in 2020, Thomas admitted feeling envious, saying, “That might have been the most jealous I’ve been of someone winning anything.” Their friendly rivalry is expected to add another layer of intrigue to the championship matchup.
The TGL Finals: A Chance for Redemption
The upcoming best-of-three finals series between New York GC and Atlanta Drive will be a rematch of an earlier regular-season encounter. During that previous meeting, Atlanta Drive took advantage of a now-altered rule known as the “Hammer Rule.” Previously, the hammer—an option to double the value of a hole—remained with one team until they decided to use it. Atlanta Drive, holding the hammer early, chose not to use it, limiting New York GC’s chances to gain extra points. The strategy worked in their favor as they secured a 4-0 win.
Following that game, the rule was adjusted. Now, each team receives three hammers per match, which can be used at any point. Furthermore, if two hammers are used on the same hole, the point value can be tripled. New York GC’s Billy Horschel is determined to capitalize on the revised rule, stating, “I can guarantee you we’re going to throw the hammer this time.”
Strategic Adjustments for the Finals
Atlanta Drive’s strategy expert Patrick Cantlay has also praised the new rule, believing it adds a fresh tactical dimension to the competition. “The new hammer strategy has been great. It’s added a little wrinkle into the game, a little more strategy, and you just have to find the best three opportunities throughout the match to throw the hammer. If you do, you gain that little bit of a competitive advantage,” Cantlay explained.
With both teams eager to make history by winning the inaugural TGL championship, the battle between Schauffele’s New York GC and Thomas’s Atlanta Drive is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. The big question remains: will Schauffele’s relentless energy and talkative nature give New York GC the edge, or will Atlanta Drive’s strategic approach prevail?