Tiger Woods, Jupiter beat Rory McIlroy-led Boston for TGL rebound

Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links Golf Club earned its first TGL win, edging Rory McIlroy's Boston Common Golf in overtime in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Four teams are now tied for first place in the new tech-infused golf league.

Woods competed alongside Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner, with teammate Max Homa sitting out, in Jupiter's (1-1) second match of the 3 vs. 3 competition Monday at SoFi Center. Keegan Bradley and Adam Scott joined McIlroy, with Hideki Matsuyama sitting out of Boston's (0-1) first match.

"It couldn't have been a more pleasurable display of golf and banter," Woods said at a news conference. "Everyone in the audience was engaged. Hopefully, all the viewership was engaged. We, as players, loved it. This is what we had envisioned for TGL, to have an experience like this.

"I think we delivered."

Woods and Jupiter, who were beaten by Los Angeles Golf Club in their first match, tied Boston through the first two holes of the triples format. Boston won the 205-yard third hole to earn the first advantage of the night. Jupiter responded with a win on No. 6. The teams tied the final three holes of the triples format, keeping the match even entering singles play.

McIlroy won the first hole of singles, beating Woods after he picked up the first shot clock violation in TGL history, triggering a one-stroke penalty. Kisner and Kim proceeded to slip by Scott and Bradley, respectively, on Nos. 11 and 12 to give Jupiter its first lead.

Woods and McIlroy tied on No. 13. Scott then beat Kisner on No. 14 to tie the score at 3-3. Kim and Bradley later tied the final hole of the singles format, resulting in the first closest-to-the-pin overtime round in TGL history.

Kim started the best-of-three battle with a chip that stopped just 10 feet and 4 inches away from the pin. Bradley's initial shot was 26 feet, 6 inches short. Kisner hit his shot 14 feet, 2 inches from the pin. Scott's final shot was 21 feet, 2 inches from the target.

"It was obviously a very different vibe than just normal golf tournaments," Kim said. "The environment's different. I thrive in these team environments. It was so good to have good partners and experienced partners. I'm just so glad we got a point."

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz and Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout were among the celebrities in attendance Monday in Palm Beach Gardens. Woods' mom, Kultida, also watched her son compete against McIlroy, his longtime golf rival.

At one point, Woods looked at the camera and said, "Hey, Mom, I'm not gonna suck tonight," referencing his performance during Jupiter's season-opening loss.

"We came in here more prepared," Woods said. "It is so different than normal golf. Playing on a bigger screen like this. The green moving and contorting. ... There are little things we've had to learn on the fly."

Woods and his Jupiter teammates will face New York Golf Club (0-2), which features a roster including Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, in their next match at 7 p.m. EST Feb. 18 in Palm Beach Gardens.

McIlroy and Boston will battle Los Angeles -- Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Sahith Theegala and Tommy Fleetwood -- at 9 p.m. Feb. 4 at SoFi Center. Those matches will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+.