Motor City Golf Club dominated Los Angeles Golf Club with an 8-3 victory, clinching the match with four holes remaining during their WTGL debut at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens. The winning team featured prominent figures including team owner Michael Hemp, players Brooks Koepka and Bud Cauley, alongside Golf Hall of Famers Beth Daniel, Meg Mallon, and Karrie Webb.
Star-Studded Lineup Secures Dominant Lead
The stellar performances came from the trio of World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, Ronni Yin, and six-months pregnant Lexi Thompson, who built a commanding 7-0 lead after nine holes. As reported by sports.yahoo.com, Yin expressed excitement during the match by stating they had good vibes and were making everything. The deficit prompted Los Angeles player Michelle Wie West to celebrate enthusiastically when her team finally secured a point by winning the 11th hole. Los Angeles had previously opened the inaugural WTGL season two days earlier with a 3-1 victory over New York Golf Club.
Thompson highlighted the unique atmosphere of the competition, noting that the format offers fans a closer look at player personalities beyond standard social media interactions and interviews. Playing while six-months pregnant, Thompson remarked that having her little mascot inside provided extra support and demonstrated that women can continue pursuing their dreams during pregnancy.
Overcoming Jet Lag and Tricky Greens
All three Motor City players contributed significantly to the score. Thitikul overcame a 20-hour journey and jet lag from Japan, arriving in Miami just 24 hours before the match. Despite feeling fatigued during Tuesday afternoon practice at the SoFi Center, she managed key putts, including a 6-footer on No. 4 and an 8-footer on No. 10 to halve her singles match against Wie West and clinch the overall victory.
Yin contributed with a 12-footer on No. 7 after Motor City doubled the hole value by throwing the Hammer, extending their lead to 5-0, followed by a 6-foot putt on No. 8. Thompson holed a 15-footer on No. 5 to establish a 3-0 lead. While the slick surfaces and unfamiliar lighting of the TGL greens have challenged male players over the past two years, Motor City excelled on the putting surfaces by collaborating on reads, with Yin primarily handling the caddie duties for green readings.
