Former PGA Champion Padraig Harrington surprised all those seated around the 10th tee today when he performed a ‘Happy Gilmore’ drive as part of the 96th PGA Championship’s ‘Longest Drive’ contest.
However while the crowd was delighted with Harrington his tee shot was last seen headed left into the Wanamaker Club down the side of the 10th fairway at the Valhalla Club in suburban Louisville, Kentucky.
Here is www.golfbytourmiss.com exclusive video of Harrington and his ‘Happy Gimore’ drive.
However with Harrington’s next shot he drilled the ball 335-yards that at the time would have been the Longest Drive of the day but then when Harrington was walking down the adjoining 12th hole there was a big applause after Aussie Jason Day hit an official drive of 338-yards at the 590-yard par five, 10th.
“I am not as talented as I think I am because I pulled that shot which was a pity because I didn’t hit it in the middle, and the clubface was a bit open,” smiled Harrington.
“So if I hit it straight I may have had a chance at the Longest Drive.
“But then I nailed my second but then I guess that doesn’t count.”
The PGA of America has brought back the Longest Drive contest for a first time since 1989 and with the tradition commencing in 1952 PGA Championship at Big Spring Country Club in Louisville, and that was the first ever golf course in the city.
However in the 25-years since it was last staged you would think with the enormous advantages in technology that the players of today would easily drive it past those competing with the equipment on offer in 1989.
Not so!
In fact, Jack Nicklaus holds the PGA Championship ‘Longest Drive’ record of 341 yards and 17 inches the Golden Bear set in the 1963 PGA Championship at the Dallas Athletic Club course using a Persimmon driver.
“It’s a great move on the part of the PGA to bring back the Longest Drive Contest as it’s a bit of fun ahead of the serious part of the week ahead,” Harrington said.
“Being the longest driver is not a major part of the game of golf but it is part of the game hitting the golf ball long and straight, and you need that combination here this week.
“So it’s something for the fans to come out and watch on a Tuesday when there’s no real pressure for the players.”
Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters Champion, set the target with the very first shot on the hole, at 7:00 a.m. His 320-yard drive held up for several hours until he was passed by 2011 PGA Champion Keegan Bradley (326 yards), then moments later by Rickie Fowler (328 yards) before Day launched his drive.
But the Australian too was outdone later in the afternoon by Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open Champion who won the event with a drive of 340-yards and with PGA Club Professional Johan Kok third (337 yards).
Oosthuizen, Day and Kok each will get a money clip inspired by the one that Jack Nicklaus received in the first of his two consecutive PGA Championship Driving Contest titles, in 1963.
