Justin Thomas joining tech-infused golf league’s Atlanta Drive GC

Justin Thomas, a two-time major championship winner, has officially joined Atlanta Drive GC, one of the six teams participating in TGL presented by SoFi. This innovative golf league, developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, aims to combine technology and golf. The news was announced by Atlanta Drive GC on Tuesday.

Thomas, known for his success with 15 wins on the PGA Tour, is the first player to be assigned to one of the six teams in TGL. The league is set to commence on Jan. 9 at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

According to a news release, three additional players will be assigned to Atlanta’s roster at a later date. It was also mentioned that Atlanta Drive GC was added to Arthur Blank’s portfolio of sports franchises in August. Blank is the owner of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United.

“As part of TGL and Atlanta Drive GC, I am excited to represent Atlanta and the state of Georgia, which have hosted some of the biggest sporting events in the country,” said Thomas in a statement. He further expressed his enthusiasm for being associated with Arthur Blank and his diverse range of businesses expanding into the golf industry.

Thomas vowed to compete fiercely, while having fun, in order to bring championships to Atlanta. He also emphasized the aim of promoting the growth of the game through the unique format of TGL.

The rosters for Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club, TGL New York, and TGL San Francisco will be announced soon. The ownership group of TGL’s sixth franchise, however, is yet to be revealed by TMRW Sports, the developer of TGL.

The league’s star-studded 24-man roster includes major championship winners Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Adam Scott. Both McIlroy and Woods will also participate in the league.

TGL’s goal was to work in collaboration with the PGA Tour, players, and their managers to ensure that a player’s TGL schedule would complement their PGA Tour competitive schedule to a large extent.

In a statement, Dick Sullivan, CEO of PGA Tour Superstore and Atlanta Drive GC manager, expressed his excitement about Justin Thomas joining the team. Sullivan praised Thomas’ talent, dedication to the game, and competitive spirit, highlighting how well these qualities align with the values upheld by all AMB Sports and Entertainment teams and businesses.

The league will consist of six teams, each with a four-man roster. Matches will feature three golfers from each team, competing in a match-play format on a virtual course with a short-game complex.

TGL recently revealed additional details about the match format. In this modern match-play format, each hole is worth one point, with no ties or carryovers. Each match will include two sessions: a 3-on-3, nine-hole alternate shot match, and a six-hole, head-to-head singles match where each player competes in two holes.

If a match ends in a tie after the two sessions, a shootout will determine the outcome, with teams competing to hit closer to the pin. All players will be mic’d up during the matches to provide enhanced viewing experience.

The league’s season-long standings will be based on a points system similar to that of the NHL. Teams will earn two points for a win in regulation or overtime, one point for a loss in overtime, and no points for a loss in regulation. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the playoffs, which will consist of single-elimination semifinals and a best-of-three finals.

TGL also shared more details about the course at SoFi Center, situated on the Palm Beach State College campus. The venue spans 250,000 square feet and can host approximately 1,600 people. The course itself will be around 97 by 50 yards, equivalent to the size of a football field.

Players will be hitting shots from tee boxes, fairways, and rough areas with real grass and sand. Long shots will be hit into a screen that is roughly 20 times the size of a typical golf simulator. For shots within 50 yards, players will transition to the custom-built “Green Zone,” an expansive complex that is four times larger than four basketball courts and features the largest-ever adaptable putting surface.

According to TGL, the tech-infused green spans 3,800 square feet and includes three 15 x 27 feet Virtual Greens by Full Swing. These greens have various actuators and jacks that can change the slope, providing a unique playing experience on each TGL hole.

The inaugural season will consist of 15 regular-season matches, followed by the semifinals and finals. All matches will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+.