Justin Rose’s Albatross Powers LA Golf Club Past Jupiter Links in TGL Week 5 Match Up

The moment is sure to become part of TGL lore and replayed for years to come. Justin Rose stepped up to a par-5 and delivered a shot that sent the Palm Beach Gardens crowd into a frenzy. His approach found the bottom of the cup for an albatross, the first in TGL history and a highlight that instantly became part of the league’s growing legacy.

“It’s been amazing,” said Akshay Bhatia, Jupiter Links’ alternate, who has played in both of the team’s matches this season. “The adrenaline rush I have out there when I first stepped on the tee last week to now is very similar to Tour golf.”

That adrenaline was on full display as Rose, Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala combined to hand Jupiter Links their second consecutive loss to start the 2026 season.

Morikawa Seals the Deal

While Rose provided the fireworks, it was Morikawa who delivered the knockout punch. The former major champion drained a clutch putt to clinch the match for LA Golf Club, capping off a performance that showcased why this team could make some noise this season.

The victory moves LA Golf Club to 1-1 on the season with 2 points in the SoFi Cup standings. More importantly, it gives them momentum heading into their next match.

Jupiter Links Searching for Answers

For Jupiter Links, the loss drops them to 0-2 and leaves them at the bottom of the standings with zero points. Despite flashes of brilliance from Max Homa and solid play from Bhatia, the team co-owned by Tiger Woods hasn’t found its rhythm yet.

“We’re really close to playing great and having momentum and winning some matches,” Bhatia said after the match. “It obviously hasn’t gone our way yet. But overall, I feel pretty good hitting tee shots and iron shots.”

Homa, who is also competing at the American Express this week, showed his competitive fire with several clutch putts throughout the match. But it wasn’t enough to overcome LA’s balanced attack.

The TGL Experience

What continues to stand out about TGL is how seriously the players are taking the competition. Despite the simulator setting and the whimsical hole designs that have been introduced this season, the competitive juices flow just as intensely as they do on Tour.

“Once we created this last year, the fans said they’d like to have you hit certain shots and be more creative on the design aspect,” Woods explained in the post-match press conference. “I think we’ve been reactive in a good way to give the fans what they want.”

The league has clearly listened. This season’s holes have featured more creative elements, including the Cenote and Stinger holes that challenge players in ways traditional golf courses cannot.

Looking Ahead

Atlanta Drive GC currently leads the SoFi Cup standings with 4 points and a perfect 2-0 record. Boston Common Golf and New York Golf Club each have 2 points, while LA Golf Club joins them at that mark following Tuesday’s victory.

For Jupiter Links, the path forward requires finding consistency. With Woods at the helm and talented players like Homa, Kevin Kisner and Bhatia on the roster, the pieces are there. They just need to start clicking.

“It’s a commitment to growing the game of golf and growing the PGA Tour and this type of environment and entertainment,” Woods said when asked about the league’s future expansion plans.

As TGL continues to evolve and soon expand to new cities like Detroit, moments like Rose’s albatross and the hype it provided both at SoFi and for folks like me watching at home prove the concept is working. The blend of technology, team competition and star power is creating must-watch golf in a format that appeals to a younger generation of fans, and honestly, older, more ‘seasoned’ guys like me.

Jupiter Links will look to notch their first win in two weeks, on Monday, February 2nd, against current league leaders Atlanta. LA Golf Club aims to build on tonight’s momentum as they tee it up again on February 9th versus The Bay. With the top four teams advancing to the playoffs, every match matters in the race for the SoFi Cup.