Los Angeles Golf Club Claims SoFi Cup with 9-2 TGL Finals Victory Over Woods

Los Angeles Golf Club secured the TGL title and a $9 million prize by defeating Tiger Woods and Jupiter Links 9-2 in Palm Beach Gardens.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Los Angeles Golf Club captured the inaugural SoFi Cup on Tuesday night, defeating Jupiter Links 9-2 in the TGL finals. The match concluded in just 10 holes of a scheduled 15-hole contest after the winning side recorded three consecutive eagles to secure the victory. This performance earned the Los Angeles squad a $9 million team prize, while the runner-up Jupiter Links took home $4.5 million. Tiger Woods made his competitive return following an October back surgery, replacing Kevin Kisner in the lineup after deciding to play on Monday evening. Despite the 15-time major champion’s presence, his team surrendered a 2-0 early lead as the momentum shifted during the middle of the round.

Jupiter Links initially took a 1-0 advantage when Woods executed a 3-wood from 279 yards just off the green to set up a birdie. The lead doubled to 2-0 after Woods lagged a 45-foot putt to within one foot for a conceded birdie. However, the tide turned on the seventh hole when Woods missed a three-foot putt, resulting in a visible display of frustration as he slammed his putter into the turf. This error allowed Los Angeles Golf Club to take its first lead at 3-2. Tommy Fleetwood capitalized immediately on the reachable par-4 eighth, draining a 12-foot eagle putt to extend the margin.

Tactical Shifts and the Alternate Shot Eagle

Strategic maneuvers defined the latter half of the match, specifically involving the use of the "hammer"—a mechanic that increases a hole's point value. Max Homa suggested utilizing the hammer on a par 5 during the alternate shot phase, but the decision proved costly for Jupiter Links. While Homa reached the green in three shots to leave a 15-foot eagle opportunity, Sahith Theegala swirled in an eagle putt for Los Angeles after Justin Rose hit a recovery shot from a bunker to inside 15 feet. Tom Kim missed the eagle attempt for Jupiter, resulting in a 6-2 deficit heading into the singles portion of the night.

The match ended abruptly on the next hole, a reachable par 5. Homa missed the fairway and was forced to lay up, while Rose found the short grass and struck a second shot that rolled to within four feet of the cup. Los Angeles deployed the hammer to make the hole worth three points. When Homa missed his subsequent putt, the eagle for Rose was conceded, providing the final points necessary for the 9-2 walk-off win. Homa later described the tactical error as a "really dumb move," noting he mistakenly believed his team had to win that specific hole to keep the match alive.

Physical Recovery and Future Outlook for Woods

Tiger Woods provided context regarding his physical state following his first action since early March 2025, when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. Having undergone his seventh back surgery in October, the 48-year-old noted that his body does not recover with the speed it did in his mid-20s. While he confirmed he will be at Augusta National for the Masters on April 9-12 to attend the Champions Dinner and oversee "The Loop"—a short course he designed—he did not officially commit to playing in the tournament. He plans to spend the upcoming week practicing and playing at his home base to monitor his progress.

Regarding the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, Woods remains undecided on whether he will accept the role of U.S. captain. The PGA of America has expressed hope for a definitive answer by the end of the current month. For now, Woods remains focused on the incremental steps of his comeback, expressing a desire to play more frequently despite the setbacks of recent years. He characterized the TGL experience as a necessary step in his rehabilitation process, even as he voiced frustration over the lopsided final score and the missed opportunities on the greens in Palm Beach Gardens.