PALM BEACH GARDENS — Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club, long the comedic relief of the TGL, is in the hunt for a championship in the league’s second season.
Don’t call it a comeback. More like, the “Bad News Bears” finally making good.
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Jupiter Links GC defeated Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common 9-5 in the second TGL semifinal held on Tuesday, March 17 at the SoFi Center on the campus of Palm Beach State College.
Jupiter advances to face Los Angeles Golf Club, which defeated defending TGL champion Atlanta Drive 6-4 in the night’s first semifinal.
“Now the ‘Bad News Bears’ can play,” Woods said. “So we’re back and we’re now advancing into the finals and it’s been incredible.
“As I said, the bonding that has, that occurs — no matter what team you’re on whether you’re playing for Ryder Cup or playing Presidents Cup, World Cups, whatever it is, the bonding that happens in this, in teams, it’s so different and unique.”
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Woods affectionately recalled the team’s lowlights, such as Kevin Kisner’s skulled bunker shot, which he said “almost killed some lady in the stands,” as well as his own shot clock violation while appreciating the team’s improved performance. He could’ve mentioned more blunders, such as his mistaken 199-yard wedge shot, which helped develop Jupiter’s reputation of comedic errors.
If Tiger Woods, who’s coached Jupiter Links while recovering from multiple injuries, is the team’s Walter Matthau — or Billy Bob Thornton depending on your generation — then Akshay Bhatia may be the team’s Kelly Leak or Amanda Whurlitzer.
Bhatia, who signed with Jupiter Links as an alternate in January, is among the hottest players in professional golf.
He’s less than two weeks removed from the biggest win of his career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Bhatia has shot par or better in 20 straight PGA Tour rounds since the start of February and finished no worse than tied for 16th in the events.
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Bhatia, 24, said his new teammates have been along for the ride and one of the best parts of this career-best stretch.
“I think the bond is the biggest thing,” Bhatia said. “I’ve definitely gotten a lot closer with Max, especially at tournaments. … Now I feel like every practice round we’re texting each other, and TK same thing.
“Obviously to have the greatest player of all time in your corner is really, really cool. … I’m glad that I was an alternate for this team because this is definitely the kind of the best, you know, gathering of guys that I could have imagined.”
Jupiter Links vs. Boston Common: TGL semifinal scorecard
Akshay Bhatia, left, and Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC laugh against Boston Common Golf during TGL match at SoFi Center on March 17, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
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Hole 1: Boston wins (1-0)
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Hole 2: Jupiter wins (1-1)
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Hole 3: Boston wins (2-1)
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Hole 4: Jupiter wins (2-2)
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Hole 7: Jupiter wins (3-2)
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Hole 8: Boston wins (3-3)
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Hole 9: Jupiter wins (4-3)
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Hole 10: Jupiter wins (6-3)*
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Hole 12: Jupiter wins (7-3)
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Hole 13: Jupiter wins (9-3)*
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Hole 14: Boston wins (9-5)*
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Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links GC reaches TGL final
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