Look — if you’re not into TGL, if you prefer your golf outside and not controlled, if you’re not totally interested in learning more about the hammer or who might play for Bay GC, I’m not here to convince you.
But this it Was a moment of hell.
Tom Kim stepped up to the tee on the second-to-last hole of the season. His side was one point down, but they had just dropped the hammer, doubling the hole. If he missed the hole, the Jupiter Links season was over. As TGL goes, this is as big as it gets. How did he answer? Flying his wedge he shot straight at the flag and watched as it bounced back to the middle of the bottom of the cup.
Here’s the moment — followed by five instant reactions to why THIS it was a dream ending for TGL.
My God Tom Kim, hammer dropped, down 1, playoffs on the line, makes an ace, what a moment, this whole thing is a fever dream pic.twitter.com/VPH3KA0ovk
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) March 4, 2026
1. Tom Kim is built for this moment.
Week after week, there just aren’t many golfers who pass out after doing something cool. But put Tom Kim in a team environment — whether it’s the Presidents Cup or TGL — and you can guarantee that at some point he’ll go crazy. So when something weird like this hole in one happened, it could have been a more perfect guy at a more perfect time. (We need Kim to find his game on the PGA Tour; he’s too much fun not to have in the mix.)
2. Tiger Woods fist pumping is a TGL dream.
Look, when Woods and Rory McIlroy and their various business partners were dreaming up TGL, they were probably imagining Woods pumping his fist. OWN holes and not those of his teammates – but whenever he’s kneeling like he’s just a hole that chip shot at Augusta National, it’s a victory for every moment he celebrates.
3. It’s a miracle no one was hurt.
Again, golfers aren’t used to partying and they definitely aren’t used to partying as a team.
“I have never been attacked before,” Kim said after the victory.
It’s a miracle he didn’t take out Homa, he also hit the deck, and given Woods’ health, it’s not comfortable to watch Kim jump into his arms. Let’s be glad everyone is getting away with this…
4. It also meant redemption for Kevin Kisner.
Kim’s momentum might have ultimately been for naught if Kevin Kisner missed the final hole. Given that he was playing a long par-5 against the great Wyndham Clark – and given that Kisner hasn’t exactly been the star of the TGL up to this point – the odds didn’t look in his favor.
“I texted Max Homa when I saw the yardage book at 7:15 this morning and said if it gets down to 15, we’re probably down because Wyndham can get there in two and I can’t,” Kisner said.
But Kiz bogeyed the hole with two pars and a short flag iron, Clark hit a mediocre chip shot, and the rest is history. Apology to Kisner.
(Also worth noting Max Homa’s birdie putt on No. 13 made it all possible.)
5. This playoff matchup is set
It’s not Rory vs. Tiger at all, because Tiger is unlikely to play. (“Well, I’ll be here anyway,” he said, leaving the door open.) Regardless, it’s Rory McIlroy’s team against Tiger Woods’ team; the teams are set for a semi-final showdown in two weeks.
Four of the six TGL teams make the playoffs, so this isn’t exactly a Cinderella story. But last year was a nightmare for the league when McIlroy’s Boston Common and Woods’ Jupiter Links were the two teams to miss the postseason.
This time they are set for a showdown.
Where did this moment rank for Woods? He gave the perfect answer.
“Best indoor experience ever.”
Meanwhile, back to real golf. Not bad for a Tuesday night diversion, though…
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