Two substitutions for the Atlanta Drive GC

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL

It was just announced, Patrick Cantlay and Lucas Glover are both out for the Atlanta Drive Golf Club in this afternoon’s opening match of TGL Season 2. The two last-minute substitutions: Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners.

The defending SoFi Cup Champions have already lost their most popular player, Justin Thomas, to back surgery. Now the best team from Season 1 will have far more questions than answers as they take on the New York Golf Club this afternoon at 3:00 pm ET in the Sofi Center, televised on ABC. Billed as a rematch of Season 1’s finale, only Billy Horschel is left to drive Arthur Blank’s championship TGL team. ..​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Lineup card 🏌🏻‍♂️ Match 1 order of play and Singles matchups! Atlanta Drive GC (-110): Chris Gotterup, Corey Conners, Billy Horschel New York GC (-120): Cam Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Xander Schauffele Atlanta Drive GC has the honor. Chris Gotterup versus Cam Young (Holes 10, 13) Corey Conners versus Matt Fitzpatrick (Holes 11, 14) Billy Horschel versus Xander Schauffele (Holes 12, 15) Team managers: Ben Helmrath (ADGC), Kraig Joy (NYGC) Sitting out Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover (ADGC) and Rickie Fowler (NYGC)

Match breakdown

Match 1

Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners maintain the OWGR resume of Cantlay and Glover, but neither brings exceptional scoring ability from close range to ADGC. Gotterup’s length and aggressive style will serve ADGC well in the lead off spot. Chris is a much better matchup against Cameron Young. Gotterup can challenge him off the tee. Young’s career season with the putter and stronger approach play still gives him an edge. Corey Conners replacing Lucas Glover couldn’t be a more exact exchange. Glover and Conners are two of the best ball strikers on (and inconsistent putters) on TOUR. Neither poses a huge threat to challenge Matt Fitzpatrick on his recent summer-fall scoring streak. Conners is 78^th in scoring average on the PGA TOUR and 99^th in birdie average. Those numbers will have to improve if he plans to make an impact in this 15-hole match-play sprint.

Experience is another factor we will weigh heavily in Season 2. Neither Chris nor Corey has played a TGL match. In fact, Gotterup just arrived this morning! There was a defined learning curve for all the teams in the first campaign. With three savvy Season 1 stars on the Big Apple roster, I believe the result will be the same as I predicted this morning: New York GC wins this afternoon. Back the Bronx Bombers and look for opportunities on the live betting board for NYGC to take the early lead after 3 and 6 holes. For more betting breakdown here are my new H2H leans.

• Gotterup versus Young: Gotterup and Young both have enough ball speed to carry the neck on The Spear. Unlike Cantlay, Gotterup gets greenside in two, and they halve the first Singles hole. Bluebonnet was won 13 times in 17 matches last season. One of the trickiest short par 4s in the TGL inventory, Young’s experience outmaneuvers Gotterup’s go for it style. Cameron takes Hole 14.
• Conners versus Fitzpatrick: Corey Conners will hit the fairway on Hole 11 and both GIRs in this matchup. Fitzpatrick will have to make birdies to beat him, and that's exactly what Matt has been doing, collecting eight top 10s in his last 12 starts with a win! Fitzpatrick has gained in nine of his last 10 starts with the putter, while Conners (just like Glover) has gained in just three of his last 10 on the greens. Matt takes Loot on the Line (Hole 11). A hole that has been won five times in eight matches. On the Rocks is the most popular hammer hole in TGL. Partly because it is almost always the penultimate hole, and partly due to its birdie efficiency. I'd again bet that hole live, based upon the situation.
• Horschel versus Schauffele: H2H breakdown can be found in the original Match 1 preview.

Unfortunately, Atlanta Drive goes again on January 6^th against the Bay Golf Club. Ludvig, Lowry, Min Woo, and Wyndham are not going to be an easy match if Atlanta cannot get their team in drive.

(Revised) Betting card

Match 1 Match 1 winner: New York Golf Club (Check markets ASAP) ​ Betting markets have been slow to post for TGL. They generally come out after we publish, so compare before you bet as they may have a better line.

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* - Odds can change from site to site. Make sure you shop around before making each bet. Even though a bet is listed, it may have changed since the newsletter was published. FanDuel (FD), Caesars (CS), DraftKings (DK), BetMGM (BM), bet365 (B3), Bet Rivers (BR), ESPNBet (EB)

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