Jupiter Links Golf Club secured its first victory of TGL Season 2, defeating Atlanta Drive GC 8-6 at the SoFi Center. The team overcame an early deficit with a strong performance in Triples, led by Akshay Bhatia, Max Homa, and Kevin Kisner. This win ends a five-match losing streak dating back to the previous season.
Jupiter Links Golf Club's Breakthrough Victory
In Match 7 of TGL Season 2, Jupiter Links Golf Club delivered its strongest performance yet, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to claim an 8-6 win over Atlanta Drive GC on Monday at the SoFi Center. This marked Jupiter's first victory of the season, snapping a five-match losing streak that extended from the prior year, and improving their record to 1-2-0. Atlanta, previously on a seven-match winning streak, dropped to 2-1-0 after suffering its first loss.
The match turned during the Triples session, where Jupiter mounted a 5-0 run across holes 3-7 to seize a 5-2 lead—the first time the team had ever led after Triples. Key contributions included Kevin Kisner's precise tee shot at the par-3 'Cenote,' where he exploited the sloping backstop for a birdie putt, forcing Atlanta to concede after Bill Horschel's shot landed in the penalty area. The team then birdied Atlanta's 'Fore-0-Fore' to tie the match at 2-2.
Max Homa added a birdie at the par-3 'Oh Chute' with a tee shot inside six feet, while Akshay Bhatia shone at 'The Plank' with a chip over a bunker setting up a four-foot birdie putt. Bhatia capped the surge at 'The Last Toll,' placing his tee shot inside five feet; Jupiter threw the Hammer, which Atlanta declined, securing the 5-2 lead.
Jupiter excelled in Hammer usage, winning three crucial points despite historically struggling in that format, compared to Atlanta's strength. A pivotal two-point swing came at the 12th hole, where Kisner matched Horschel's par after Atlanta's Hammer throw, extending the lead to 8-2.
In Singles, Bhatia birdied the par-5 'The Spear' for a point over Chris Gotterup, and Kisner earned two more against Horschel at the 13th. Atlanta rallied late, with Lucas Glover nearly acing 'On the Rocks' for a birdie point and Horschel winning the final hole with two Hammers for three points, but it wasn't enough.
Justin Thomas, in a non-playing role for Atlanta, bantered with Kisner throughout, including a playful exchange about Atlanta's streak: after the loss, Kisner quipped, “What is it now?” to which Thomas laughed, “Zero.”
Post-match, Billy Horschel praised Jupiter: “All three of them played really good tonight. There was no weak link.” Max Homa celebrated: “We’re having fun. We’re scoring points. We’re thumping the defending champs. I think Jup Links is officially back.”
Jupiter's momentum positions them back in playoff contention, with their next match against Boston Common Golf on March 1.
