PALM BEACH GARDENS — It may not be a miracle on ice, but Jupiter Links Golf Club has pulled off a surprise on the turf at SoFi Center.
Heading into the Feb. 2 game, the reigning TGL champion Atlanta Drive had as many losses (one loss) as Jupiter had in a season and a half in the league. Atlanta has won seven in a row, while Jupiter has lost five in a row.
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Things continued as Drive won the first two holes and looked like he was on his way to another win. It wasn’t.
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Kevin Kisner, who was the subject of some ridicule during his stint at Jupiter, hit key drives and clutch approaches on the next two holes.
Suddenly, the game was tied at 2-all, setting the stage for a comeback for Jupiter with an unexpected 8-6 victory over the reigning champions. Jupiter captain Tiger Woods could only smile as his team of Akshay Bhatia, Max Homa and Kisner achieved their first win in 371 days.
Tiger Woods (right) congratulates his Jupiter Lynx GC teammates after his victory over the Atlanta Drive on February 2 at Palm Beach Gardens.
“Where has it been for the past year and a half?” Homa said.
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All three members of the Jupiter team contributed in key moments, but it was Kisner who seemed to provide the spark with clutch plays and disparaging comments.
“Tiger said if I couldn’t put together a game, he would kick me off the team,” Kisner said with a laugh. “I’ve been disappointed in the way I’ve been playing lately. I feel really bad when I play poorly against my teammates. I heard you tied for the lead in strokes gained tonight, and it’s the first time I’ve done that in my career.”
Tiger Woods watches Jupiter Lynx upset
Woods said he hasn’t yet set a timetable for his return after undergoing another hip surgery, but he was able to see his team overcome early setbacks and ultimately leave SoFi with a smile on his face.
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“I ran out of steam in the beginning, but I made some runs and kept the momentum going,” Woods said. “I finally made some putts, so it was good.”
Atlanta’s team of Billy Horschel, Chris Gotthardt and Jupiter resident Lucas Glover went through 11 holes without a win. By the time they did, it was too late.
The biggest drama of the night occurred on the par-4 ninth hole, Jupiter’s home hole, with Jupiter leading 5-2. Kisner’s drive bounced off the traps and Atlanta threw the hammer. Jupiter accepted.
Gotterup’s approach went into a bunker, and when Bhatia drove it to 15 feet, Jupiter threw another hammer, which Atlanta accepted.
That means this hole is worth 3 points. Jupiter could take an 8-2 lead or fall into a 5-5 tie. Glover made a nice save from the bunker and hit a 15-foot shot to Homa for three points. Homa hit the putt 4 feet from the hole, but Kisner made another putt to preserve Jupiter’s three-point lead heading into singles.
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Bhatia beat Gotterup on the 10th hole to extend Jupiter’s lead to 6-2. After the 11th hole was halved, Atlanta had no choice but to throw the hammer on the tee with Horschel facing Kisner.
Once again, Kisner prevailed, this time with a par, clinching the victory for Jupiter. Horschel had scored the winning goal in Atlanta’s previous three wins, but was unable to score on Monday night.
Finally, Jupiter’s turn came.
Kisner celebrated the win and asked Atlanta captain Justin Thomas how many games in a row they had won.
“Seven,” Thomas said.
“How many wins did you win? now? ” Kisner said with a laugh.
Glover almost saved his night when he missed the cup on the par-3 14th hole by less than an inch with his tee shot.
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The final score was misleading, as Horschel defeated Kisner in a hammer throw on the final hole.
it doesn’t matter.
“I hate losing,” Horschel said. “They hit quality shots. When you’re behind with the eight ball, it’s hard to catch up. It was just a matter of time before all three of them played well.”
Only 371 days.
Atlanta Drive owner Arthur Blank becomes WTGL’s first team owner
Atlanta Drive owner Arthur Blank has become the first team owner of WTGL, a new women’s team golf platform launched in partnership with the LPGA Tour. WTGL will open in the winter of 2026-2027.
“We are excited to partner with TMRW Sports and become founding owners of WTGL,” said Blank. “The growth of women’s sports in recent years has been remarkable, and as evidenced by our other golf facilities, women and girls are participating in golf at higher rates than ever before.”
This article originally appeared in the Palm Beach Post. Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Lynx wins Atlanta Drive at TGL
