{"id":12988,"date":"2025-01-07T15:10:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T15:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/?post_type=article&p=12988"},"modified":"2025-01-07T15:13:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T15:13:34","slug":"tgl-opening-match-preview-new-york-golf-club-vs-the-bay-golf-club","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/article\/tgl-opening-match-preview-new-york-golf-club-vs-the-bay-golf-club\/","title":{"rendered":"TGL Opening Match Preview: New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Match day one in the TGL starts tonight. We’ll soon find out if this made-for-TV golf league is a fun, entertaining watch or an absolute dud like most of the “The Match” revivals we’ve seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m cautiously optimistic, considering how the pace of play should be. No one has to go walk to their ball, the next golfer on the team will often be prepping for their shot anyway, so one of the major complaints about broadcast golf (not seeing golfers hit shots) shouldn’t be a big concern. The shot clock idea is a big plus, in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The players being mic’d up is interesting, but hopefully, they don’t feel too pressured to “trash talk” just for the sake of the broadcast. While some funny back-and-forth is good, I don’t want to hear it if it’s forced or manufactured. They aren’t pro wrestlers. Instead, I’d love to hear the guys talk more about their club selection, shot shaping, and what they’re going to try to do before they swing. Something that we don’t often get in real golf. I think a big part of the audience watching will be golf hardos, and they’d enjoy that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

see the whole schedule for the inaugural season<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How It Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The two teams of three will play the first nine holes in an “alternate shot” that involves all three golfers. The final six holes will be singles matches where each player competes against an opposing player for the entire hole. After that, two new players will go head-to-head for the next hole, meaning each golfer will have two of the six holes for which he is responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each hole is worth one point; tied holes are worth nothing. The one caveat is THE HAMMER.<\/strong> A team can throw a hammer at any time during the hole, making it worth double the points. The opposing team has the option to decline it, but doing so concedes the hole for one point automatically. After being played, the hammer changes possession, meaning the team who was hammered can then do the hammering. In fact, if they think their opponents made a mistake and they feel confident about a hole, they can play it back immediately, making the hole worth three points.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the match, the most points wins. A tied match is decided by a best two-out-of-three closest to the pin pitching contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matchup: NY vs The Bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As far as handicapping this thing, who knows? It’s not real golf for most of the hole, but it does involve some real live chipping and putting on the rotating green they built. I pulled in the overall strokes gained numbers for the last year for all six golfers in the Rabbit Hole<\/a> (and put the logos on there for my benefit) to see where things are lining up. Obviously, Xander and Ludvig are very good. From there it’s a little murkier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Singles (final six holes) Matchups will be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fowler v Lowry
Fitzpatrick v Clark
Schauffele v Aberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you made me bet it, I would probably take the underdog Bay team just looking at how Rickie and Fitz’s 2024s went. While they are still going to be carried a bit by a Superstar, it’s not better ball or a scramble. Rickie’s going to have to hit quite a few shots tonight. <\/strong> The Bay has the bigger liability on the greens in Lowry, but with NY having the two bottom ball strikers in this opening-night six-pack, I think we’re ripe for an upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bet: The Bay GC +100<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Watch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n