The Bay Golf Club had a standout performance on Tuesday night, proudly wearing Golden State Warriors jerseys as they took on Jupiter Links Golf Club. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as they secured a strong victory, finishing with a score of 6-3. This win not only boosted their playoff hopes but also pushed Jupiter Links to the brink of playoff elimination.
The match was significant for TGL, which has reached a crucial point in its development. What started as an intriguing new concept now must prove its worth based on merit and quality of play. This comes on the heels of recent matches that drew disappointing viewing figures, with only 263,000 viewers tuning in for Monday’s first match and 297,000 for the later one. While these numbers might seem low, it is important to consider that both matches aired on ESPN2 rather than the main ESPN channel. In comparison to last year’s viewership of 57,000 and 125,000 in similar time slots, this year shows a marked improvement.
Tuesday’s matchup marked the third TGL contest in just over a day and represented a new chapter for Jupiter Links, as it was their first game without the legendary Tiger Woods. Kevin Kisner, Max Homa, and Tom Kim took to the course against The Bay’s Shane Lowry, Min Woo Lee, and Wyndham Clark.
The game began with an impressive performance from Clark, whose tee shot on the 155-yard par 3 third hole landed just six feet from the hole. Lee capitalized on this to give The Bay an early advantage. However, the scoreboard was evened up shortly after when Kim made a five-foot putt, adding a playful jibe to the home crowd as he did so.
As the game progressed, Lee became the star of the night, sinking a dramatic 24-foot putt to extend their lead. His near-chipping effort on the eighth hole was thrilling, nearly resulting in another point for The Bay. With a crucial double hammer-toss hole that counted for three points, Lowry made a successful six-foot putt, further solidifying their lead as they headed into the singles matches with a score of 5-1.
Kim managed to secure a point early in the singles round by defeating Lee, pulling Jupiter Links slightly closer at 5-2. Despite this, The Bay maintained their composure, splitting the next few holes and ultimately clinching the match. Clark then handed out souvenir Bay ballcaps to the crowd, celebrating a well-earned victory. Kisner did capture a point in the 14th hole against Lowry, but Clark responded by defeating Homa, concluding the match at 6-3.
With this win, teams like Los Angeles, The Bay, and Atlanta Drive have already secured their spots in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the final playoff spot will be decided between New York, Jupiter Links, and Boston Common. This scenario suggests that either Woods or Rory McIlroy, two of golf’s biggest stars, could be watching the playoffs from the sidelines – a surprising turn of events for fans and players alike.
In another notable moment, Brooks Koepka, a renowned five-time major winner and a prominent figure in LIV Golf, was seen in the audience mingling with players before the match, adding an extra layer of interest to the event.
Looking ahead, there are even more exciting matches scheduled. The Bay will face off against Los Angeles GC at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, while New York GC will compete against Boston Common GC at 7 p.m. ET, both matches airing on ESPN2. On Tuesday, Jupiter Links will take on Atlanta Drive at 7 p.m. ET on the same channel.
With the stakes rising and teams vying for playoff positions, the upcoming matches promise to deliver thrilling golf action as TGL continues to develop its identity in the sports world.
