Big Ben wins US PGA Long Drive battle

By Will Pearson, europeantour.com
at Baltusrol

Byeong Hun An took top spot in the annual US PGA Championship Long Drive Competition after recording a titanic 347-yard effort on the first hole at Baltrusol Golf Club.

The Korean’s mammoth drive came up two yards longer than second-placed Rory McIlroy, who had to settle for the second step on the podium after hitting his ball 345 yards, while notoriously big-hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts came in third with a not insignificant 341-yard attempt.

An’s tee shot was the longest drive in the competition since Andy Franks’ 346-yard effort in 1982, while the longest recorded the history of the pre-tournament spectacle remains that of Evan ‘Big Cat’ Williams, who hit his ball 366 yards in the 1974 competition.

As is the tradition, the top three finishers will receive a gold, silver and bronze money clip, respectively, inspired by the one that Jack Nicklaus received upon winning his first of two consecutive US PGA Championship Driving Contest titles in 1963. That year, using a persimmon driver and wound golf ball, Nicklaus hit his drive a staggering 341 yards, 17 inches.

The key to a long drive? Try to hit it as hard as you can!
Ben An

“My first goal was to find the fairway and get on the board,” said former BMW PGA Championship winner An. “Last year, I hit the ball everywhere and knew I had to wait another 12 months to get in there again.

“But today I did hit a great drive and got a bit lucky because it was quite downwind and I think it pitched in the flat spot, got a big hop and ended up 347!”

Asked what was the key to power and distance from the tee, An responded: “Try to hit it as hard as you can!”

McIlroy led the fray for much of the day after registering 345 yards and during his press conference – at which point he was still in top spot – and admitted he would be disappointed if he weren’t to win.

At 345 yards, your new Long Drive Competition leader, @McIlroyRory! pic.twitter.com/gVIvod673o

— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) 26 July 2016

“I hit that one good,” said the two-time US PGA winner. “I pulled it a little bit, so I was a little concerned it might just miss the fairway left, but it just hung on. I’m not going to lie to you, I've been checking the board since to see if anyone's got up close to me!

“But I think it's a great concept. Obviously the PGA of America have had this long drive competition for a long time. I know Jack Nicklaus still carries his money clip from 1963 when he won it. That must be a nice little accolade to have.”