In a thrilling finish at SoFi Center, Tom Kim’s spectacular ace on the 14th hole powered Jupiter Links Golf Club to an incredible comeback victory over The Bay Golf Club, securing their spot in the Season 2 playoffs. Down by three points with just three holes remaining, Jupiter rallied for a 9-6 triumph that stunned fans and players alike.
Kevin Kisner clinched the win with a decisive 13-foot birdie putt on the final hole, sparking celebrations as Jupiter advanced to the postseason while eliminating The Bay from contention in a match that will be remembered for its intensity and dramatic swings.
Pivotal Moments That Defined the Match
Facing a 6-5 deficit with only two holes left, Jupiter took a bold risk by deploying the Hammer format on the par-3 14th hole. Tom Kim, nicknamed “Him,” executed a remarkable tee shot, landing just beyond the flag before spinning the ball backward into the cup for only the second hole-in-one in TGL history. This iconic shot gave Jupiter a 7-6 edge heading into the last hole and electrified the SoFi Center crowd. Kim’s celebration was so exuberant that he ended up on his back, with Tiger Woods visibly ecstatic amid the unforgettable scene.
Earlier in the match, Min Woo Lee from The Bay made a significant impact by draining a 38-foot eagle putt on Jupiter’s team hole, which swung momentum in The Bay’s favor during the triples session. Lee later sealed his first singles hole win with a 15-foot birdie putt, pushing The Bay into a 5-3 lead. Known for his wedge skills in Season 1, Lee showcased impressive putting prowess this time.
On the sidelines, special guests Jason Kelce and his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, took in the action from the stands, adding to the event’s notable atmosphere.
“Obviously a huge fan of all these guys playing right here, and it’s just been awesome seeing them duke it out.”
— Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Triples Session Highlights: Momentum Fluctuations and Key Plays
The Bay Golf Club initially seized control after the first eight holes by breaking a 2-2 tie at the Stinger (8th hole) despite a relatively long approach shot of 194 yards. Wyndham Clark’s precise 7-iron approach to 11 feet set up Ludvig Åberg’s successful birdie putt, handing The Bay a 3-2 advantage.
Åberg missed a critical tee shot at the par-3 Cenote later, allowing Jupiter to capitalize with a par to even the score at 2-2. Jupiter’s momentum was buoyed by Kim’s 18-foot birdie on the 6th hole and a strategic use of the Hammer, while The Bay opted not to match, maintaining pressure.
The Bay had challenged early with a 1-0 lead as Jupiter faltered with a bogey on the night’s opening hole, failing to recover from a greenside bunker. Their advantage increased to 2-0 by hole five thanks to a manageable birdie on the par-5 Bay Breaker.
Singles Competition Sees Dramatic Shifts and the Defining Ace
Despite trailing, Jupiter refused to fold in the singles portion. Kim’s electrifying hole-in-one at the par-3 On the Rocks turned the tide decisively with the crowd erupting behind him, shifting the lead to 7-6. Kevin Kisner quickly followed with a two-point victory on the 15th hole as Jupiter solidified a stunning comeback to win 9-6.
The Bay’s Sam Burns (playing as Homa) delivered several key birdies, including one on the par-5 Sterling hole, attempting to keep The Bay in front. Min Woo Lee added another birdie at Alpine, strengthening The Bay’s position to 5-3 during the mid-game, while teammate Wyndham Clark’s 16-foot birdie on The Last Toll (hole 12) widened the gap to 6-3.
Jupiter’s aggressive decision to use the Hammer before tee shots on hole 13 forced The Bay to accept the points. Still, Homa responded with a huge birdie for a two-point swing, tightening the score to 6-5.
Emotions Run High Following Kim’s Historic Hole-in-One
“That was raw emotion right there. A lot of practice and a lot of holding in for a moment like this.”
— Tom Kim, Jupiter Links player
“For each one of these guys to earn the holes down the stretch like they did, it couldn’t have been more special.”
— Tiger Woods, Golf Legend
What Lies Ahead: Season 2 Playoffs Set at SoFi Center
With Jupiter Links securing the fourth seed, the Season 2 playoffs are locked with Boston Common Golf as the top seed, followed by Los Angeles Golf Club in second and Atlanta Drive in third. These teams are gearing up to compete fiercely in the semifinals starting March 17 at SoFi Center, with two matches scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET, both broadcast live on ESPN.
The best-of-three finals will commence on March 23, featuring Match 1 at 9 p.m. ET, Match 2 on March 24 at 7 p.m. ET, and a deciding Match 3 if necessary.
Additional Background: Earlier Match Highlights and Upcoming Contests
Previous matches in the tour included Boston Common overcoming Jupiter Links in overtime to claim the top playoff seed, while Los Angeles Golf Club edged New York Golf Club in a nail-biting qualification match. Upcoming fixtures continue to draw significant attention from fans of the league and golf enthusiasts alike.
The Tournament Experience and Fan Engagement
The atmosphere at the SoFi Center during this crucial match was electric, amplified by the passion of players and the excitement of special guests like the Kelce brothers. The mix of strategic play, thrilling shots, and emotional moments helped make the event memorable for all involved. From the intense competition on the course to the raucous crowd response, the tournament showcased the growing allure of TGL events.
