World Long Drive: Huntington Beach

It’s the first major tour event of the year! Tune in as 42 of the best hitters in the world are narrowed down to the top eight men, and top four women, competing for the first title of 2024.

The time has arrived the 2024 World Long Drive season is here but somehow it feels different I mean everyone’s freaking super good super fast and I’ve beat I’ve beat them all at one point or another so know I can do it and just got to square it up

And hit the center of the face and hit a big ball at the right time it’s been four months since Kyle Burkshire and Monica living were world champion when it comes to your emotions in long drive I would say that you can use them to your benefit if you can

Harness them well I think that’s something that I do do well I like to really dive into those emotions and use those to propel me through an event today on the west coast they become the hunted vog drivers from throughout the world Converge All with one single solitary

Goal it is a tough field everybody is I think just is capable to win at any moment I’ve yet to come across somebody that ever seems like some kind of easy easy win I’ve really honed in on my accuracy and I think that’s what a lot of people

Know me as is being a really accurate hitter and someone that’s going to be you know in every golf tournament and be able to put pressure on any anybody I’m going head-to-head against um they they know I’m going to be able to put balls in play and um never really going to be

A tough out who will be coming the next big [Applause] [Applause] star there’s a lot of big personalities there’s a lot of yelling a lot of distraction so in its own way it is very mental pressure is a little bit different out here I feel like it’s very fast-paced and there’s so much adrenaline so I actually think it’s easier pressure-wise than traditional

Golf you don’t have as much time to get in your head which is what I like about it who will become the next Champion it’s not just a A bash Fest where you’ve got unlimited golf everybody out here can hit it but it’s about being able to hit it obviously in

The Grid in the moment the right type of ball flights launch angle spin rate on the right side of the grid there’s a big mental component and it’s about who can pull it off in that moment so um it takes I think some experience and uh

Some coones to be able to pull it off we’re about to find out the Story begins at the first event of the Season welcome to Huntington Beach and the world long drive MB Invitational presented by [Applause] Hyundai finally the 2024 season is upon us the greatest long drive hitters in the world have descended on here Huntington Beach California the Huntington club and alongside by part of love this guy right here two time World Long Drive Champion art singer I Am the coach and art first and foremost the

Setting is spectacular the grid is a little bit unorthodox but as always the competition top shelf they’re going to have a dog leg right uphill here at the Huntington Club speed is the great separator in sports and Coach long drive is no exception folks fasten your seat

Belt you’re about to see some major heat in this match play competition we’ll get into all the H hitters and the rules and all of that but there’s another very important component to this event with more on that let’s send it over to the third member of our broadcast team Jeff

Farley thanks coach in addition to the long drive Championship there’s a second component of the event today and that is the cancer research from driving out cancer.com you’ll be able to scan the QR code and donate today to help out the cause back to you coach let’s take a

Look at the weather here right on the beach and when you’re this close to the water art you’re going to have wind and there’s also a chance of some rain later in the forecast you’re going to get a lot of different conditions right here you get the wind swirling and churning

And at this grit here at the Huntington Club the first toll of dog leg right par five up the hill predominant win from the right players have a lot of shot making to do and speaking of shot making how about the Hyundai conquer the weekend spot on the grid the men are at

400 then you got the women earlier in the grid but if they land a ball there oh my goodness and keep it there they’re going to get the Hyundai Santa Fe and look at the women right here that we’ve got this final coach you got the reigning world champion Monica living oh

It’s going to be great she’s got I mean last year she had a couple of wins she could do it right out of the gate but she’s going to be taking on Phyllis medy in that first semifinal now for the men here are the top eight seeds the young

Star Jack Smith but look at the two names right behind him Justin James and Kyle birkshire you got three of the top four in the world Zack Holton in there as well so here’s what the brackets look like and there’s really good matches remember the seeds don’t necessarily

Always mean that who is going to win not at all and again this match play format is exciting and when you go to the rules of this competition coach these golf balls have to land in this Fairway they cannot go out and come back in and Co

The club heads can form the USGA standards we’ll talk about this Bonus Ball this is really unique it’s more about bonus time hit two balls in for the men 350 you get 30 extra seconds 280 for the women it’s certainly going to be a very special time here in Huntington

Now with the 2024 season about to get underway I had a moment to sit with a few of the guys to check out how they are feeling before the real hitting begins Jacob G Bobby Ray the world champion Kyle Burkshire former world champion Justin uh James Sam toell and

Jack Smith now Kyle I’m going to start with you you’re the reigning defending Undisputed world champion when you at your very best do you think that anybody sitting here or in the world can beat you no I think when I’m at my best I’m very tough to beat and uh that’s what

It’s all about bring your best when it matters the last time the world long drive tour was on the Golf Channel was back in 2020 and you’re still here do you think you’re better than you were then uh yeah I do feel like cuz I actually know some stuff now I was kind

Of a dork back then um but I got by so now I can kind of figure out why it’s going in the houses over there versus the Pacific ocean over there so I can hone that in a touch and hopefully you know hit the grid so I would say I’m

Better I won twice last year all right six of the absolute very best the world long drive is back on the Golf Channel in 2024 better than ever World long drive is not just about long balls it’s also about the long journey of trying to end Childhood Cancer The Season’s

Opening event brought the community together in support of driving out cancer donations are funding more research to help families and children fighting for their lives it is a story well known to many parents we’re here for our purpose driving out cancer is amazing thing every single day A child loses their

Life to cancer 46 kids every single day are diagnosed that’s every half hour of every day kids get diagnosed as far as Reese’s disease about three kids a day or 900 a year get diagnosed with that disease and because it’s so rare it doesn’t get that much funding if only

Effort and fight equal outcome then our incredible son would still be here today but unfortunately we lost Reese in March of 2019 and here we are with you making good on that promise with athletes who are committed to making a difference to drive out cancer so thank you for for

Joining us at our Fight what a great cause World long drive is bringing here to Huntington Beach okay when we come back we’re getting things started the men and the women are all set to go who will be our first champion in 2024 we are about to find Out World long drive is brought to you by Hyundai add more joy to every Journey at the Hyundai getaway sales event today by Bridgestone Golf and the E9 long drive the official ball of world long drive E9 long drive extreme ball speed extreme distance and by moncky cold snacks just beer born in

Boseman to achieve uh my best this year I think it’s long drive zo is a Razor’s Edge between speed and uh consistency and it’s kind of riding that line in terms of you know where your golf swings at selecting equipment the type of shot

You want to hit so um it is just uh fine tuning everything so that when the big moments come you can perform welcome back it is time for our first quarter final matchup here in Huntington Beach and art when you talk about Justin James your 2017 world champion and then Sam

Judah comes in as clearly the underdog in this matchup he really does I look at Justin James he’s kind of like in Biology class dissecting it up I have been down and talked to Greg Rose at titless performance Institute and he has maximized every fiber in his body he has

Got a golf swing but be careful with Sam he has made some swing changes in the last year and he’s going to hit the grid that’s what he says so to be clear they’re going to hit each have free balls from each side of the grid so a

Little bit different than maybe what you’re used to in years past good golf sping good start again he said he said to me I’m going to sacrifice speed for Quality I got to hit I got to make golf swings now coach great start just getting that ball in

And that’s critical cuz one more ball in he qualifies for that bonus time and we’ll tell you more about that as we get to it but that’s big that one went north of 370 I really like how they’ve evolved the competition over the years art and going back and forth to me

I like that a lot better I love this action right here both on the team mono Amano Justin chose to go second he did have that option as the higher seed and that ball will be out of play left as you can see you’re going to see on

Flight scope there in the top right of your screen you’re going to see ball speed and spin and I’ll talk more about that how important those are as well as the Apex the of the shot if you can get that up there so Sam Judah from Ozark

Alabama did make the top 16 in last year’s World Championships so there’s your we’re just going to get there is there’s the Apex right there what we’re looking for in spin will be basically south of 2,200 we’d love that 19800 right there and of course ball speed fasten your seat belt you’ll see

Some stuff here over 220 today for sure well I tell you if you’ve never seen this man and his celebration when he won the World Championships you may want to go back on YouTube and take a look that one is drifting off to the right will that stay in the

Grid and it does so that will be a Mark or as we say here in this sport a number a number and they will we see what that is so have a look here at Sam good set up here nice lines right shoulders really low and underneath it aiming a little

Bit down that right side this old does dog like left and that is blown out way right right there so 384 there coach for a good start there for Justin James and and these players got here today with qualifying on the golf course a very unique way to get there four holes were

Selected they had four balls on each hole and uh they fought the conditions and I think the best eight are right here yeah I absolutely love it too because any tour that you’re on you’re never going to qualify the same way you’re not going to play on the same

Grid or the same course and that’s what we had to this is big time yeah this is going to hit the slot and we’ll see what kind of a bounce it gets and again we did have some rain earlier and that’s why you’re going to see a little check you’re going to see

What we call check when the ball bites doesn’t release for two reasons number one we are uphill number two we got some rain so conditions for huge numbers coach which these guys would normally be in that 4203 range you’re not going to maybe get here today but there is a

Positive as we show you some replays first of Justin James look at that huge turn at the top drops it on the inside elevates uses the ground well beautiful extension just awesome power he did have two north of 350 Arts so he’s already uh qualified for the

Bonus time which will be 30 seconds after they each hit their six balls all right now Sam Judah his fourth ball he does have one north of 350 but he is 6 yds back of Justin James good ball there at 20 2500 though high on the spin rate right there that’s

Going to be out of play you know Sam is the second most accurate hitter in the top 50 last season so he is used to being in the grid a lot of the time I think you’re going to have to you let’s see if somebody keeps this a down in that 16070

Range to see if they can use the ground maybe Chase it up that grid and that one will go out to the right now keep in mind that the higher seed in each one of these matchups does have the option of going first or second of making uh that

Selection and I think again with this bonus time that decision isn’t as important I think most these players should probably get two in and they’re going to get that extra 30 seconds how they use that is the biggest Choice today all right so now the fifth ball

For Judah and that is and he doesn’t like it no you saw it right there 3,300 so a little bit thin thin equals spin that’s low on the face and it’s not going to get much roll but he does get his bonus time yes he does and that’s

Very very important so that did clear the 350 Mark and you kind of see art that there is some drops on the camera lens there’s still a little bit of moisture out here you can see the rain coming down over there on the lake but it’s not really affecting that much it’s

Not that that that cold wind coming in from the right’s affecting more of anything oh that was a hard hit ball there 220 with 1500 just Mark that down right there that’s that’s what’s going to produce big big shots and is that one going to stay in and it does so Justin James

Another number on the board and he’s always such a cool character and now Sam Judah says give me a little juice Arc give me a little juice [Applause] yes 216 but too high in that spin I don’t see the ball rolling that much to get there I just don’t not with

That much spin you can see it right there it flew about 357 on your board and it rolled seven yards so that’s a function of Spin and height all right so now Justin James will have his final ball and then each player will have a

Bonus 30 seconds and if we can Que in there notice the t height for Justin James that’s considered low for long drive just barely above the crown I like that decision for this grid [Applause] setup 224 fastest of the day that is just absolute Nolan Ryan heat right

There and maybe it doesn’t need to be said but Justin James very much into his Fitness art oh gosh goodness sakes he has maximized every fiber again working with that team at TPI his dad was always in great shape his dad Jerry James won two senior World Championships yard so

45 for Justin James Justin James excuse me we see our first what do we call 400 bagger one more look at that one yeah we look at Sam’s uh swing right here good turn I like it right here I like how he’s elevated drops it down the inside

That left foot better get out of the way or else that knee oh my goodness bye-bye knee ladies and gentlemen both players have more than two balls over 350 yard so you hear the PA announcer and we just told you at home I really like this aspect of the conversation all you know

Me I love that there is an accuracy plus a distance aspect to the conversation so now Judah will go he will get 30 seconds how many comfortably do you think they should hit in 30 three max but he’s got a he’s got a ton there

And I don’t like this play he to hit a 400 plus yard drive you need to be quality you need to be breathing I would personally take two swings and this is a mistake you’re just not going to hit a 400 yd Drive in my opinion at this rate

Of speed they’re actually winded if you can believe it or not playing rapid fire right here well he went quickly he’s going to try to get one more in the ground to see if he can get it off and I don’t believe that he will so Justin James won’t even have to hit

Nope he should be done he will be just fine and a really good performance for Justin James but he’s putting the ball in the ground I don’t know why he would need to do that I think now they’re telling him he does not need to do that so Justin

James will will move on Victorious in our first matchup here in the quarterfinals and Jeff barley is standing by with Justin James Jeff Justin you’re a former World Champ Justin what does this crowd mean to you when they get behind you well it’s a really exciting environment you know

I’ve told you before this is uh my favorite tournament um I’ve been close um it mean a lot to me to win someday not not calling it yet but uh I love hitting on this grid and it’s uh one of the best events I’ve ever been to congrats on

Advancing all right let’s take a look at the bracket and let’s update it as Justin James our two seed will advance to take on the winner of Ryan gregal and Colton Casto as the crowds have showed up here in Huntington Beach any one of us can

Beat any one of us on pretty much any day of the year it’s just a bounce a swing me catching one over someone else it’s just making sure you do it and Kyle and and Justin and you know a few others seem to have done it at the right time

More often and I think that’s just kind of where I need to step up and do that myself at the right time now we’re ready for quarterfinal matchup number two and this should be a really interesting one Ryan gregal and Colton Casto oh the Canadian the maple leaf where do you see

The speed that Ryan gregal has right here in Colton Casto he had a beautiful qualifying session today did really well but uh I’ll tell you what Greg null has got some gas right here he has got some major heat you know I think one of the

Reasons he’s in the final eight is his attitude and this is such a unique way of qualifying and you can either embrace it or you cannot embrace it and that one’s going to go low left he came up to me earlier today art he said I’m in the

Twilight of my long drive career and he’s just very very excited to be here I mean he’s been hitting this is going on over 15 years and they call him the Big Maple Leaf up there so um both players a little bit tight starting out with balls out of play

Um how do you pronounce the hometown of Colton Casto snow homish snow homish Washington that is where TPC snow homish is where the champions tour plays a tournament up there the used to be the Boeing I don’t know if that’s still the title sponsor but uh Fred Couples

Country up there interesting I’ve played that course coach I’m sure you have you played everywhere AR no I don’t know about that I’ve been to Kitchener Canada where Ryan Greg Nell is so great golf up there as well so that one I believe is going to roll just off to the right so

No balls in as of yet in quarterfinal number two this is the first event of the 2024 season and you heard Justin James just say it this is his favorite event of the year there’s a proam there’s a a a concert last night you can see the weather is

Spectacular and the cause is amazing I love the ho I love this event I love what they’ve created in here the the excitement the energy uh it’s awesome for the sport all right so each man has hit two balls already Casto did win in 2023 in

Memphis that one did find the grid 368 for cast 367 36 kind of calm down here and just hit one on the face he’s got one speed though and that’s full speed coach and that one’s going to go well to the left so Greg null is halfway home and

Yet to hit one into the grid now in a perfect scenario art you want to go second and you want to hit the least amount of balls possible that’s true and again on this golf hole you’ve got to think I know it’s hard not to get up

There as a long driver in this setting and not go 100% but you’ve got to hit Fairways here and get to that bonus time only one ball in the grid so far and that is for Mr Casto that was his second one and so he’s halfway home to the

Bonus time 368 on this swing right here yes really good he got he left that was a little one-armed uh single down the right center but not bad not his best wow look how far that club goes back and again you’re going to see golf shafts wrap around these golf shafts have

Softened in Flex coach by by five flexes um I’m not going to get too technical with ppms but let’s just say that if you had a child or beginning golfer that swung the club about 70 mph that’s what they would use but these guys are getting that kind of action with these

Soft flex golf shafts all right so now these two will switch spots and Greg n will hit from the right side of the t- boox that was his best shot it was a pull it’s could probably go out left um but that was a really solid shot

Nice to see a solid one here yeah I’m a little bit uh weary of the fact that the world long drive tour got moncky coold snacks as a major sponsor because now that’s all you’re focused on Art you got to have the cold snack right

There so that one’s going to go out to the right so so far one out of eight combined between these two they will face Justin James the winner as he won just a few moments ago over Sam Judah so this a critical shot these next two cuz

Um you know obviously Ryan needs to get both of these in to get into that bonus time and you can see he doesn’t like that either so now for gregal it’s going to come down to one hit there is no bonus time there are no bonus balls so

The play right here for Colton is just to hit it in play 350 plus just to guarantee extra time that would be the strategy right here slow it down and hit it in play and I just don’t know if they can make that call if they can make that

Call on the lie you know that’s where they got to just do the math and say he’s got no chance to get 30 seconds more I do I’m going to feed one in here just to guarantee maybe two or three more shots it’s all about staying in it

Mentally right right all right last ball for Greg null or he will go home and Casto will advance and that one out to the right so unfortunately for Greg n he goes 0 for six so it will be a Justin James Colton Casto semi-final you sure will unfortunately did get a mark there

For the Canadian and Colton will face Justin ladies and gentlemen with a drive of 366 y col all right let’s s it down to the grid jeck is standing by with Colton Colton you had a win in 2023 over Justin James do you have it in you this

Week I’m hitting it really good right now and the swing’s feeling good let’s keep it going just got to hit the center face I didn’t do it that much I got to away with one there and just got to find the center let’s keep it going congratulations appreciate I think he

Wants to keep it going art well he’s going to need a little more than what he had right there if he wants to beat Justin James one half of our semi-finals is Set sometimes you get so excited art you make a mistake I was excited and we now have two on either side of the practice Jeter James on one side Casto on the other it doesn’t matter coach he’s going to have to beat him one time or another but wait

A minute who’s on the te coach the world’s champion Kyle Burkshire he’s going to face Bobby Ray quarterfinal number three is set and yesterday I called Bobby Ray a pretty boy he didn’t like it very much he said I’m nasty I’m A Beast look at the guns

On him Coach but I tell you what in the squirt Circle I take you I appreciate that art so here we go Bobby Ray in the blue flowered shirt sort of and he is an upand Comer in the world of long drive but he’s taking on the absolute very best absolutely the record

Book of the sport in the last 5 to 7 years Kyle burshire and he is here to win this event he is a three-time world champion he actually played college golf until he decided that the training for both was just impossible to do you know it was a good move for me

He’s playing at University of North Texas uh good golfer from cofton Maryland and uh just I remember he came into my shop 193 mph ball speed and next thing you know couple years later but here we go Bobby Ray but only 207 so these are two different cars going down

The freeway if you will um you’re going to see Kyle if he takes it up there over 225 I mean uh that’s Formula One stuff so that will be 341 so a number is posted won’t be enough to qualify for the bonus situation but as you’ve always

Taught me art singer it’s all about getting that first number on the board it really is see what Kyle’s got right here now he struggled on this hole uh we both watched him qualifying during the day on this hole and this hole he did not hit

One in he has kind of struggled with the look 18 where he qualified it was another hole tighter hole and he just bombed it on that hole so I don’t know if this hole fits his eye Bobby Ray was the winner of the reality TV show Paradise Hotel for all of you reality

Show fans he’s going to improve upon his number here and he’s also also going to qualify for some bonus time that’s what’s good right here well that one went out out ofs that left side’s tight coach which one’s your house up there by the way has

It just been shattered well I did see uh one backyard had three balls in it yesterday in in practice so now Kyle birkshire and he is oh hit two really hard left so what can you do when you’re hitting it that hard left what’s the fix the fix is the slow

Down Kyle Burkshire 85% of Kyle Burkshire is all you need it really is and so he’s just going for home runs that are 700 ft not 400 ft take a look at some of the replays and Bobby Ray did find the grid with this swing and you’ll notice the

Commonality right there is that left foot is going to elevate they’re using the ground and get it out of the way and they are launching that golf ball right there part of the moncky snack break and now Burkshire and Bobby Ray will switch spots and you’re just noticing the grid

Out here at the Huntington Club is really slow [Applause] Uphill and that one heading left as well for the college golfer at the University of Tampa so now Kyle Burkshire now this this sport if you’re watching at home right now and you’re saying man this feels like a lot of pressure is because it is a lot of pressure you’ve got to

Find the grid especially when you know that your opponent already has a number on the board and he’s kind of out of his element um I don’t know what he’s doing he’s just not on this hole he doesn’t know if he should hit it down the right

Side and draw it hit it up the left side and cut it um he’s the first time I’ve really seen him not look together he’s kind of lost with his golf swing we saw a lot of the qualifying today and that one looks like

It will stay in on the grid with the win Direction the same as earlier arts and that one’s going to be short of 3:30 yeah the win is now in coach if anything and again we are at sea level folks we are uphill on the first hole at

The Huntington club and a good 10 to 15 mph win right in their face right here so Kyle’s got to worry about hitting it solid got to hit it solid so that was 326 so Bobby Ray’s number is still 341 we’re talking about a man right here

In Kyle birkshire has the longest drive ever recorded 579 yards he also holds the ball speed record at 241.7 miles an hour we’re trying to figure out what exactly is going on I know Kyle’s really having problems with his footing he got a talent wiped off his shoe so let’s see

If he can nail this one he’s losing his footing checking the club face a lot going on his head right here yeah he is very out of sords here this afternoon in this first event of 2024 here at the Huntington Club art and the coach and there will be no bonus ball or

Bonus time between these two maybe we’ll see here if this ball right here gets over 3 50 so that one is 322 so his number is going to be [Applause] 341 so now Kyle burkow down to one ball he’s got to go north of 341 or it

Is over for Kyle birkshire and that one is headed left so an upset for sure Kyle Burkshire unfortunately is going home with number three SE speed doesn’t always win these matches coach all right Bobby Ray standing by with Jeff Farley Jeff all right all right Bobby we’re

Going from so Paradise Hotel to the paradise teab box tell us about it baby that’s right I mean that’s the best in the world right there no question about it and I was fortunate that he didn’t hit any in the Grid it’s pretty much that simple we did get a win switch and

I saw that 341 pop up I’m like I’m either really weak all of a sudden or the wind switch so it’s going to be a little bit tougher down the stretch of this tournament well congratulations Jon listen a lot of respect there from Bobby Ray to Kyle birkshire but that’s what

This sport is all about you got to be able to find the Grid or you cannot forward round three down one to go Justin James will face Bobby Ray and Colton Casto is waiting for the winner of our number one seed our Sellinger Jack Smith he’ll take on the eigh seed

Zack Holton love the golf swing in Jack Smith our top qualifier today and as you mentioned before Zack Holton qualified in the playoff all right so it will be the e seed almost always you’re going to see the top seed decide to go second why is

That they want to have the hammer they want to know what they need look at that footwork right there haven’t seen feet move like that since Barry Sanders coach he likes it a lot how much does he like it it is in the air for a long

Time and just on the right side of the grid we’ll see what that number is oh it did go OB wow what the rules real quick for people yeah if you’re just joining in this ball must land in stay in if it stays in and touches the line it is good

But it cannot hit an outside agency a sign of fence anything outside it must stay in at all times watch this golf swing coach boy this kid is going to be a superstar he’s also very very humble when you talk to him he almost doesn’t

Want to look you in the eyes he calls you Mr art Mr Jonathan you know he quit medical school just put it on the sidelines to join the sport of long drive last year won the event in King Sport not a shock when you see him

Really get into a rhythm with his golf skin he really love this kind of qualifying the reason I think a lot of the guys that really did well guys with really good golf swings yes but also the ones that embrace the uniqueness of it

And just say oh we never do it this way instead of hey you know what I like it this way you’re exactly right coach you hit it right on the head You’ got to like what you’re in you got to embrace it you know there’s been tournaments on

The PGA tour that are questionable setups you you got to like it all right so 314 as the wind has completely shifted and is now coming back in the hitter’s Face and art sometimes when you have the win come back in your face oh it’s huge it does cause a player or a hitter excuse me to swing harder and you don’t need to when Breezy swing easy tee the golf ball down slow it down get spin spin

Down these are brutal conditions I mean for long drivers hitting into this 15 M hour wind uphill this is this should be a good one right here yeah you heard Bobby Ray say it he felt the wind coming back in his face that one goes outside

Of 330 but here’s the issue with the wind so hard coming in now it just shifted about 10 15 minutes ago 335 for that it’s going to be very hard to get it past that 350 number yeah bonus time again that’s why I like this match play format both are under the same

Conditions might not get to that bonus time but again at least they’re both under the same conditions all right 335 Jack Smith yet to find the grid and that one is a little baby draw will it be enough and at 221 mph just to give you an idea with no wind a little

Above sea level that’s so far over 400 yard you can’t imagine all right they’re telling us that one was OB did not get back to the grid so now they will look at this golf swing here left foot up there right foot just sets down as he takes the club back

Look how long it goes back and up we go cuz that left foot better get out of the way that’s the common one that is our moncky snack break one more look from down the grid how’d you like to be out there with a little glove trying to catch this one

In the air coming at you at 220 no thank you okay now there is that little square right there that is for the women’s competition the men’s is out at 400 that if they could put a ball in that little blue square they’re driving home a brand

New car that’s a hund Hyundai s right there i’ love that that’s pulled left do you think it’s an advantage that Zack Colton he got in here in a late afternoon playoff does that help him I think he’s did a lot more golf balls again on this hole that was six more I

Think he’s fine he’s playing with house money I think it’s good all right our number three seed is out our four seed is out Jack Smith our one seed is now going to find the grid how deep is it he made a really good adjustment there if we going to get hopefully a

Replay on that he teed it down low really smart play right there and got a mark at 330 all right 330 is the official number that’ll be about five yards short of what he needs so again watch this move right here and what do they and they’re trying to get a little

Preset start to go get momentum before they take the club back and that one’s going to be too high and Drift Off to the right so now the pressure just like we saw with Kyle birkshire and now falls on the shoulders of Jack Smith two balls left hitting it

350 almost impossible with this wind he’s got to find one yeah notice how low he’s teen it right here think it’s a really smart move he’s got a lot of good golf experience what he’s got to do is come in level hit a driving shot that will use the

Ground so we’ll look at the Apex if we can get that number again you can see how flat the flight is here that’s the right flight I know he left it out the right but you can see that was plenty yeah that one just drifts to the right and the crowd

Grown so now we are down to our final ball and right now the eight seed Zack who got in here in a playoff is on the brink of [Applause] advancing and you can see that right foot really slipped yeah the the foot the footing on this grass right here especially out

Here in Huntington anywhere in California you get that poana mix in there it’s very slippery nothing to grab with so here’s Jack again I like the low T set it’s not going to curve back from right to left with that t so low again

Low Loft low te not a lot of draw so hit it straight right down Main Street he needs 335 to tie 336 to stay in the competition that is drifting back he doesn’t think he has it oh oh wow three2 so Jack Smith our number one seed

Art with a drive 336 Y Zack advances to the semifinal one more look and all right let’s send down to Jeff Farley all right Zach the conds up here are a little tough tell us what was going on with your strategy here yeah the the first ball I hit I thought I hit

Really well and it it just took it out to the right and then the second ball I hit really well and it came back 314 so I knew I had to hit a lower ball flight and luckily I was able to hit it lower with a little less Spin and take it out

To 335 and I felt pretty good about that number but never know what Jack man he’s got some speed and he put a you know two balls right behind me so I’m just glad I got it done and on to the next round all right you’re on to the

Semis it is all about strategy as we move forward but the semi-finals are now set one more look at Zack Colton footwork right here look at the back swing solid shot that’s a winner at 335 all right so here is what it looks like as we moved into the

Semifinals it will be Zack Holton taking on Colton Casto and the highest seed remaining Justin James our former world champion taking on Bobby Ray that’s coming up later as we get set now and turn our attention to the women we’ll come back right here on the golf Ch welcome back to Huntington Beach time for the men to take a seat a little rest in time to focus on the women so here is how the qualifying went today with our reigning world champion the number one seed art and it’s going to be a rematch

Of the World Finals we saw in Atlanta last year right out of the gate the New Zealander Phyllis medy along with Monica living the current world champion coach what a tree for everybody at home the first event of the year and you get these two world champions let’s

Go so it’ll be the same scenario as the men they will alternate hitting from the te when it comes to your emotions in long drive I would say that you can use them to your benefit if you can harness them well I think that’s something that

I do do well I like to really dive into those emotions and use those to propel me through an event and that comes along with you know controlling your heart rate but increasing it when you need to and when you need to hit a ball you know

On the sixth ball to to win a set Monica living from Denver Colorado won three different events in 2023 she won at Hope Sound and mosquite the first two events of the year and then the big one the world championships in Atlanta now this lady right here art is an absolute Legend three-time world champion the New Zealander No Stranger been that for 17 [Applause] Years oh good start right here see if that stays in on that left side good start really nicely done so out north of 280 and up near 2 90 so getting a number on the board is started at 26 is the official [Applause] number all right that one’s going to

Drift over to the [Applause] left so Phyllis has one kind of go-to shot and that’s that high draw that’s what she does she’ll take it down that right side and try to just hit that towering draw shot even into this wind I’ve never really seen her waiver

There was a fade but I’ve never seen her waver from her technique and try to hit a different golf shot all right that one went OB out of bounds you know so many of the names remain the same but I love the fact that every single year you got new names

Coming in like a Monica living who is not scared to take on a legend like Phyllis medy and there is a Bonus Ball situation two balls pass 280 and they will get that bonus T absolutely and I like Monica’s Go I mean she played college golf at Arkansas State so no

Stranger to looking at golf holes right here but she is facing a legend right here in phis medy such a beautiful golf swing and always has had yes and but hits towering shots and into this wind again she doesn’t have that low bullet coach all right so that did get past 280

So that is a really good sign for philmy cuz now she’s going to get an extra 30 seconds quickly let’s take a look at a couple replays and why don’t you have a moncky snack break while you’re at it good balance there for Phil she again

I I look at this golf swing hasn’t changed in 17 years High hands beautiful extension Works underneath with the right shoulder to a full finish good action all right they have switched spots now and Monica will hit from the right side now interesting here art she’s the top seed

And she she chose to go first she sure did um I don’t know why but in this situation again with the with the uh bonus time that you can earn hitting Two Shots 280 I would be totally focused on that cuz you’re you’re just getting more chances you’re probably going to get

Instead of six golf balls you’re going to get at least eight if not nine you have a really good chance so get those two in yeah if you joined us at the top of the broadcast a couple of the men were able to do it and then the wind

Completely shifted and started blowing back right in the players faces and the hitter faces and it’s much more difficult to get it out there on this grid now so that one go goes OB so now two balls left for our number one seat and

Takes no time to do so right here she is really going fast there’s a 2 second per shot shot clock and Monica’s taking about four so I I think she could just slow it down a little bit I like the te height the action but she can slow it

Down there’s so many different variables in this sport that the players have to be able to manage time is certainly one of those but in the old days art it was six eight balls in a finite period of time this is very different okay that one looks really

Good down the middle little bit of a fade that 3,000 spin’s really going to take a lot up when you have spin into the wind that’s really tough all right so that was 278 love to see Monica just take her time here take a little deep breath look at your

Target she has to beat 286 art and that is not going to do it so Phyllis medy art she’s not even going to need her bonus time she wins in regulation time and she will move on to the finals absolutely great performance right there that was a rematch of the

World championship so she just got a little bit of Revenge and she’ll move on to the final so Monica living will not wi the first event of the Season like a year ago but philmy standing by with Jeff Farley Jeff match Phyllis this was a rematch from the World Championships a

Little bit of Revenge uh no I think she Ed me one uh you know what uh sometimes when we H into the win and the conditions change we have to adapt and that’s a part of being a professional so it’s nice to be able to adapt and uh the

Strategy kick off all right congratulations way to go thank you L to hear her talk about that she was really thinking about it art as she was hitting and it showed Big Time veteran right there I mean she has been in so many stages like this she will not make a

Mistake definitely the other player will have to beat Phyllis medy to walk out of here with that trophy gentl will step to the side just momentarily though and wait for our other semifinal and this should really be a good one Cassandra Meyer and Kelly rudney what do you think

About this match up art I think it’s going to be science vers violence cuz Cassandra she’s a player she played on the junior Ridder Cup team Kelly rudney just heave ho here we go watch this swing I mean she’s just going to take a roaring rip at it Kelly rudney world

Rank number four Cassandra Meyer world rank number 12 Cassandra is the three seat she had the choice I feel like Monica is the girl to beat right now of course o Phyllis as well have a ton of respect for her and she’s been in the sport for so long but

I feel like Monica is really driven she hasn’t even reached her full potential yet which is pretty scary but I just think that she’s super talented and definitely the one to watch this year and as you can see the light rain has subsided for right now just a little

Bit that’s a good thing as far as footing is concerned and this was a great format for Cassandra qualifying on the course again she’s played so much competitive golf she when she saw this format she told me she loved this format right here in the qualifying she has really been a

Crossover star has some sponsorships and some Partnerships that have the same as some players on the PJ tour like a Victor Hland so that one going straight left and OB so two different techniques here little more vertical golf swing right here and a massive lash just and rars back and falls back you know what for the second straight semifinal the higher seed who had the choice chose to go first Yes I like that choice I always would go first good golf scen and that one will stay on the grid we’ll see what the first number posted is for Cassandra and it will not get to 280 but it’s still a number it sure is and and to give you an idea about scientific

Approach he’s over 10 m hour slower than Phillips but only about 10 yards behind because again she’s hitting that quality flat flighted golf shot there there is definitely a strategy to all of this it’s not just gripping and ripping and wasting no time R to your

Point they have a full 20 seconds yeah and nobody’s taking it no I think they’re all amped up that’s all let’s do it there’s a lot of adrenaline in long drive and there’s no uh 267 267 there’s no shot clock needed coach well I know it’s been a few months since they last

Competed at the World Championships my goodness I like the enthusiasm and that one’s going down the right side will it stay in no it will not OB to the right so Kelly rudney still yet to find the grid and they will now switch their spots

While we have a second let’s take a look at the replay brought to you by moncky Colt snacks Classic golf swing big turn behind the golf ball leg Drive Perfect Balance I mean that is an ill PGA golf swing right there all day long I love looking at it from this Angle right down Broadway and two on the grid but remember for the women they have to get two north of 280 to get that bonus time all right so ball number four for cassander Meer yeah we’re starting to see the the the the feet slip footing is a big issue

Here I mean and again in Long Drive these players do not keep their feet grounded they’re moving and if you’re sliding unintentionally you’re really going to hit a bad shot cause you to miss the face so a little baby draw coming back into the grid and that is out to the right as

Well I think we’re also starting to see your point art some of the swings are becoming flat footed yes definitely Cassandra is really a grounded player so she’s not going to slip too much again she stays pretty planted right here barely lifts her left heel up ball

Number five and that will go straight left so still 276 is the number to beat for Kelly rudney you’re going to watch here with rudney you watch the back foot the trail foot and you see if that footing can stay in there till the balls hit she stayed pretty grounded there hit it

Solid I don’t know if it’s going to turn over enough and that one also just two or three yards to the right plenty though just out at 300 but still that was her best footwork of the uh of this set for sure all right final ball for cassander

Meyer so far the only hitter of the two to find this grid big breath and one more rip and that one down the left side oh that bunker and Into the Bunker little unfortunate 293 bucker in playing that left side there from about 270 to 295 all right so she does add 17 yards are to her numbers so could be very difficult here for Kelly rudney she’s got one ball left oh 170 on the ball speed low on the

Spin if she gets the bounce this is going to be close well she likes it there’s 280 there’s 290 there’s 300 so Kelly rney with her final Ball s Cassandra Meer home that is how you do it welcome to the finals on the six ball it only takes

One and let’s take a look at that at the replay one more time Kelly rudney had one ball left hit the slot and goes north of three bills and just look at this footwork here big high hands and boom right there and just she knew it too she liked it perfect launch perfect

Conditions there flat flight she used the ground got more than 25 yds a roll and give me a big time fist PP let’s send it down with our winner who’s standing by with Jeff Farley Jeff okay Kelly you added some great drama and you had the fans behind you what was going on

There don’t think just swing yep that I I had to get one in I had to redeem myself so I Cassie had a a lot of good balls and I just I was got lucky on her congratulations we’re looking forward to that next match thank you so

Much well there was a lot of luck and yes there was a lot of really good speed there as well so drama for sure so here is what the women’s final looks like our former world champion Phyllis Betty will take on the 3C Kelly rudney and that

Will come up give me the fist bump one time on ball number six here in Huntington Beach we’re back on the Golf Channel World long drive is brought to you by Hyundai add more joy to every Journey at the Hyundai getaway sales event today by Bridgestone Golf and the E9 long drive the official ball of world long drive E9 long drive extreme ball speed extreme distance and by moncky cold snack just beer bar and

Boseman we are back at the Huntington Club all set for the women’s final and my goodness philis SMY our three-time world champion is taking on Kelly rudney and our Sellinger just moments ago Kelly rney drama last ball getting to this final came up big and facing mainly one

Of the two record books of women’s long drive trying to add your trophy case the New Zealander in Phyllis medy she’s got her hands school right here all right so Kelly rdy is the higher seed so she has the choice she has chosen to go second

So philis medy will be the first to hit the crowd still buzzing from what they saw just a couple of minutes ago solid hit right there down that left side see what happens here with that bunker so that bunker is in play and again if we had normal

Conditions for these and I’ve watched Phyllis fly a golf ball 320 that bunker would just be something that would just get air mailed coach you air mail that bunker well I appreciate the respect it’s not true but I appreciate the respect all right 276 on ball number one for Phyllis

Medy remember two balls over 280 and that hitter would get 30 seconds of bonus time so now Phyllis Betty Med excuse me ball number two and her shot has started down that right side hit that draw just’s coming across it a little bit leaving that face open

Not getting the inside I’ve watched her rehearse behind while the other players hitting trying to drop it to the inside and that that one went OB now we heard her talking her interview after she beat Monica living talking about making the adjustments and with the wind the way

That it is the wind is now shifted yet again how hard is it art to make yet another adjustment I mean either it’s with the driver with more loft or less or if the te height higher or lower um you’re going to think of a little bit more level again phyllis’s technique is

Really to hit up on the ball she probably has an upward attack angle of some 78 de um she should play her shot here and try to hit that high draw ball number three and the crowd likes it does the grid like [Applause] it and that will stay in but what is the Number 288 so she adds yardage to her number and also has one north of what she needs for bonus time very very important now ball number three for Kelly rudney good numbers here down that left side see if she can get that big hop that she got last

Time she did look at that north of 300 308 Y and Phil Ben says Hey respect Kelly came to play Phyllis has really got to get the golf ball to turn over from right to left if she wants to get across that 300 yard marker it almost looks like Kelly’s a little bit

Surprised at what she’s been able to do and her swing right here she looks solid right here again I always watch her back foot if she can stay planted at the strike right there then it’s whatever happens here now it’s all over so that’s a great impact position right there and

She’s just hit it right flush on the face she’s had two different balls now her last one against cassander Meyer and now that one where she clearly aren hit it absolutely perfect but now as we mentioned this wind has switched so Phil’s medy should be able to get one

This long if she hits one the same way if she hits her shot that high draw you can see she can aim it down that right side got a great view right here but she’s coming across it what I mean by that is you can see her shoulder

Swing left towards that left bunker when you swing left and the face is open that Ball’s going to curve to the right so she actually has to have that club exit more to the right and that one did finish OB to the right so now ball

Number four for rney and that one is straight down Broadway I’m anxious to see what happens here with a low shot using the ground how much Vault she’ll get using that ground that low bullet can roll well it certainly did and now she’s just having a good time all right

298 so that unlocks the bonus time for Kelly rudney and again using that ground just 10 yds short of her best but 10 mph slower I love the low ball on this grid all right so now all the pressure is on this woman right here she’s got to find 28

Yards so I can see it in her swing just she just delivering a little across but she is fast that ball curving that much that’s just not her shot so definite swing flaw going on for phis so this is best case scenario for Kelly rudney she

Has two balls left she’s got the lead and she has the bonus time and that one a little squirly out to the left so our women’s final is down art to our final ball Phyllis medy needs to go over 280 to get more time she needs to go over 308 to take the

[Applause] [Applause] lead oh that’s that cut and that will not get the job done so our champion for the women in Huntington Beach is none other than Kelly rudney taken down Cassandra Meyer with her last ball and taking down our world champion three times over phis medy all right let’s send it down to

Jeff okay Kelly you came in ranked fourth in the world but today you’re number one wow that’s all I have is wow um I struggled last year a little bit I’m feeling better this year and I guess all my hard work’s paying off well you’re a fan favorite you couldn’t be nicer to

The cause and the fans and you are a champion today tell us how that last ball came off the face like a dream like an absolute dream I just I I hit it in the right spot that’s all that happened yep all right well congratulations you are now the Michael Brown Invitational champion

And that smile literally says it all congratulations to Kelly rudney one more look at the winning swing at getting it done and just flush right here beautiful action right there and she just knew it plenty of respect from Phyllis medy but Kelly rdy takes it down in the first

Event of 2024 the men semis when we come back congratulations to Kelly rudney she’s our Women’s Champion now back to the men here in beautiful Huntington Beach California the Huntington Club there you see the crowd and here is our semifinals hton Casto James and Ray and art it’ll be the

Two seed and former world champion Justin James taking on kind of the new guy Bobby Ray you got to like Justin James in this format again Bobby Ray Not Afraid at all again uh not definitely with those biceps coach well I think he looked at some of your old pictures when

You competed I want to look like that except those are my legs I think here we go the sun has come back out you can see the wind with the flag has now shifted a little bit going back down grid so maybe we’ll have a bonus time maybe we’ll have

Little 400yd conquer the weekend by Hyundai with the Santa Fe there is a little square out there 18 in they hit it in there they’re driving away a Santa Fe that would be amazing so Bobby Ray will go first and that will Drift Off to the right Justin James r2c knocked off

Sam Judah in the quarterfinals he has chosen to go second right he’s going to be very methodical he’ll use the shot clock got a really good routine visualization same thing waggle of the club big back swing his father a former pro wrestler oh this is hit 220 out of the

Gate down that left side and he likes it you can tell that he likes it and that will get to oh they’re running are you kidding oh yeah the wind changed big time that’s why match play here I told you that ladies and Gent 44 y1 four for Justin James and just 30

Minutes ago 320 was a good number that’s again why I love the match play format you have to have it right here so if you’re Bobby Ray what what’s what’s the thought process now well swing hard in case you hit it that’s about it I mean

Cuz that is full gas right there for Justin James every number optimized Club delivery Club face speed spin launch there is not a tile on that flight scope that he didn’t maximize I don’t think there’s any secret that when you have a good attitude and you want to be

Somewhere and you heard Justin James say earlier in the broadcast this is his favorite event he loves hitting on this grid he just goes north of 414 and he wants to win this Trophy and I think attitude is everything he’s embrace the format embrace the grid and putting on a

Show and now Bobby Ray wasting no time stepping up to his third ball oh baby right down Broadway going be hard for 210 to beat 220 but that got a big bounce but again 220 on a flat line is going to beat 210 all day so about 25

Yards of roll for Bobby Ray so the positive is it’s north of 350 so he’s got the first of uh what is needed of two balls to get the bonus time but I think it’s not going to be the time or the number of balls Falls it’s going to

Be the distance that JJ has already put up it sure is like watching new Saint Bolt run right here it’s all speed by the way speaking of JJ my son JJ is in attendance today and he he loves Justin James it’s one of his favorite guys I saw him in the clubhouse

Earlier talking to him give him a little uh I bet he gave him some coaching Coachman he was so excited he met Justin James He says Dad I met Kyle burshire Martin borm every body so they’ve been great to him today we’re going to take a look right here at Justin James golf

Swing and again he’s going to rear up out of there and that’s at full speed right there and he knew it and loved it just beautiful well little secret when they come back one more look oh look at that extension I just love this golf swing talked to Greg Rose at tius

Performance Institute and they have worked together for years and he is spot on all right so now it’s time for ball number four Bobby Ray needs a little love he needs a little energy well he needs a little yardage he needs 215 to 218 and the

Ground that’s high in the face there’s a point where you over swing again it will always come back to can I hit the center of the club and there’s a point where if I swing so hard it’s going to be just almost impossible to hit the center of the

Club so here’s Justin you watch his methodical approach visualization right here same routine sets the club Behind the ball then takes his big rehearsal which is basically his full back swing right there and then it’s just look and go all right so that one going out to

The right the good news for Bobby Ray is he has two balls that are over 350 so he will get 30 seconds of bonus time but he’s got to figure out how do I find another 40 yards which is what he’s going to need to win there’s 22 that was pulled to the

Left the thing I love about long drive is you’ve got guys from all different walks of life you’ve got a reality star played college golf now you got Justin James who is a personal trainer very scientific art in his approach to this sport go but one common thing they have speed Big Time

Speed and you know Justin should be thinking about that oh art another one over 400 yards for Justin James 49 49 to be exact he should be kind of dialing in the uh conquer the weekend little circle out there get it in the blue Circle and win that Santa Fe from Hyundai it’s

Right in the middle of the grid if they can get a ball to stop right on it they would win a brand new vehicle for Monday now again the methodical one I watched Justin James just 10 seconds ago take the wrench out and adjust that driver

Don’t know if he went up and loft or down but he made an adjustment he’s always thinking and we’ll see what he does right here both hitters have already unlocked the bonus time oh he went there that’s flat that’s 221 2300 see what kind of Bounce this

Gets that one out past 390 it will not get to the 400 Mark but you know this is it is about competition but it’s also about putting on a show and Justin James right now is putting on an absolute show Absolutely there’s no question all right

So now Bobby Ray will have 30 seconds let’s take a couple of quick replays while we have a moment and here’s Bobby Ray swing right here you know he kind of has a lot of knee movement on the way back right there not hitting it as solid as he

Can ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen both players have D two drives over 350 y therefore they’re J again is going back they have unimed making another adjust to the golf club what is he what is he doing or what could he be doing there he could be lowering the

Loft sending up a little bit more raw bias um he could be setting up a little more fade bias he could be doing a lot he’s got a lot of adjustments in that Callaway head right there all right so they are setting the clock and then

Bobby Ray will be the first to go 30 straight seconds we saw Sam Judah earlier in the show he got four or five in but it was very very fast absolutely I don’t see Justin Rushing here I really don’t um I well he he may not even have to hit to

Be honest with you art yeah but but if he does I think he’s going to hit One Max two I just don’t see him playing that kind of game he’s just a a different kind of player all right here we go so Bobby Ray clock is running and he’s spinning almost a full

10 seconds before hitting his first ball and that one yeah Two Shot Two Shots to be good he gets two that’d be nice clock down to 10 and that one going straight left so he may have time for one more 373 for the first not going to get

It off and I believe they’re telling me it does not count he did not get it off does not matter and it wouldn’t have got to 414 either way so Justin James unless he just wants to show off a little bit will not have to hit one more ball no he is

Into the final right there that is is enough that is a man who’s got the game face the Mojo he wants this in the worst way and to show the rest of the world long drive world I am still the3 y with a drive of 414 y Justin James advances all so Justin

James will advance to the championship final for the men and he does it in spectacular fashion let’s sit it down down to Jeff Jeff Harley Justin 414 that’s a long par for to most people what’s going on with that ball well I must have got some kind of

Roll out cuz I I hit a couple good ones uh not that far so I’m assuming it skipped or something had a little help there were no sprinkler heads on that one it was beat well maybe I’ll get lucky next round and catch sprinkler head all right you’re on to the finals

Congrats he very confident Justin James will wait in the wings when we come back it’ll be final number two 414 are you serious JJ says yes I am we’re Back welcome back we are all set for semi-final number two here in Huntington Beach and what a show it’s been so far here’s what the men’s bracket looks like currently Justin James just moved into the final he’ll take on the winner of Zack Colton and Colton Casto should be a

Great matchup right here with Zack Holton who again want the playoff to make the final eight Colton Casto kind of sneak by there in his round in the in the quarterfinals so should be a good matchup world number two is Holton world number eight is Casto so it will be

Holton the first to hit as he comes in the eight seed he got in by winning a playoff or a hit off as it were and that first one goes out of bounds to the right so now Co Casto from Washington did win in Memphis last season over guess who

Art Justin James yes so we could have potentially a rematch from Memphis in 2023 and Colton’s fast that ball was 223 I know it’s out of bounds but that sends a message right there at 223 that he can play this game right here soen Zach again unique footwork right here a big

Step up with both feet prior to the plant and then takes the club back and rars it back and kills it so that one also will go out to the right when you do when you do the foot thing what’s the hardest thing to match things up for the foot thing elevated

I’m not a big fan of I love the lateral move that Kyle has again that’s a momentum Builder here I I’m I’m not totally on board again with the Zack Holton move with the up and down I think it’s very difficult to match the back swing with that that vertical stuff

Rather than weight moving side to side to get momentum both of these guys were part of that wind shifting in the quarterfinal round so they found it difficult even to get it out you know 350 360 and now they’re standing there art watching Justin James go north of

400 so 0 for three for Zack Colton the number two ranked hitter in the world and now the third ball for Casto again he I I want to go back to Holton he has mastered that move there’s no question to be where he is in the world of La drive he has totally

Mastered it I just find it really difficult to find The Sweet Spot [Applause] consistently well let’s take a look during our snack break at the feet of hton so he takes the left foot then resets it he puts this right foot way up and then down and as he sets it down

He’s right back kind of where he started and again why you moving before you take it back you’re trying to get that head start trying trying to get the ignition started again before the cars rolling Holton The Man Who Lost in the semi-finals of the World Championships to the eventual world

Champion Kyle birkshire so he knows how to get it done at the absolute highest level he needs to get one in the grid just to put a number on the [Applause] board and he’s missed both ways which is one of the worst things in Long driving might

In my almost 40 years around it if you get two misses going again we always saw Jason zubac hit that patented fade shot we saw sadlowski hit the draw shot we saw Fister hit the draw shot all these Legends Kyle just kills it so I mean they’ve got their shot but they usually

Have one miss that’s that’s tough when you got two ways going yeah I don’t care if you’re a long driver or you’re playing regular golf you do not want to have a two-way miss all right ball number five still nothing yet in the grid for either hitter and now the drops

Are starting to come down just a little bit and that one’s going out to the right if it starts raining in the middle of a set what do you do well you know to me in this situation in match play I would have a 45 or 46 in driver my play

Club cuz if somebody’s 0 for five I I you know I’m going to go ahead and try to hit the hit the grid this a great shot 223 goodness sakes that is just hammered right there that is coming back into the grid we’ll see what that number

Is going to be 38 3 all right 388 yds for Casto but here’s the situation Zack Colton only has one ball left right it’s do or die right here he’s got to go For Broke he has to go for broke so Colton Casto one hit away from facing Justin

James he was just off tonight just not his night right here yeah you you can see the frustration for Zack Colt so Casto is going to get it done by putting one ball in the grid but that’s all you need all right standing by with our winner is Jeff Farley

Jeff all right we’re in Huntington Beach not snow homus Washington you think this this weather help you a little bit maybe a little bit I’m used to hitting in the cold and the wet so I mean it’s going to be what it’s going to be faced JJ the

Last four times I’ve been in the finals or this is the fourth time in the finals so it’s kind of this be fun congratulations you’re going to the finals thank you sir appreciate it it’s going to be what it’s going to be when we come back who will be crowned our

First champion of 2024 it’ll be that man Colton Casto taking on the number two Justin James will Crown a champion we come back right here on the Golf Channel the time has arrived the men’s final you can see art the rain has started to fall a little bit harder here

As we get set for Colton Casto and Justin James they’ve got their hands full here keep the grips dry keep the gloves dry taking turns right here a b a battle of speed both have put up numbers over 220 mph personally I try to not think about

It too much of it cuz then I get in my head and then I’m starting to just try to yeah just get in my head and it gets in the way of me trying to do what I do and just forget about everything and let

Just let the swing do it like all the practice payoff so Justin James is the higher seed he has the choice and he has chosen to go second now the good news art for Casto is he has two wins in his career both have come over Justin James

Wow and this tournament is special in Justin’s heart I know he really loves not only the competition the format but he really wants to win this one and add this one to his trophy case and probably get some Revenge John Colton there’s no doubt about that he had two wins in 2023

In hop sound and Portland Connecticut he would love to make his first one in 2024 right here in Huntington Beach now ball number two for Casto oh big nugget right here again 222 2000 spin don’t know if it’ll stay in 228 ft on the Apex is just that’s got more hang time that’s

Got more Hang Time a I mean goodness sakes a ray guy Punt and that one did just drift out to the right so now ball number two for Justin James and that one may just curve a little too much out to the left so 0 for

Two for or both hitters so far so both speed both guys have about the same speed except Justin will hit a flatter ball and use the ground for roll you’ll notice that in the [Applause] Apex and the one armed finish that one kind of a duck hook to the left you

Think maybe he’s he’s trying to make up for the rain and maybe have a I I I don’t know I don’t know I think you just missed that one they got to keep the golf balls dry they’re trying to keep the grip Dr try um I really look for a

Good shot right here at of Justin it’s kind of letting up [Applause] too oh he killed it and he pulled it oh goodness boy that was a big time hit but now they’re telling us that one is in we’ll see what the official number is

On it 3 all right 398 so nearly 400 yards let’s quickly take a look at the replay art I think the rain got the flight scope right there but we’ll get this replay and look at that golf swing I felt something good was coming from Justin

Right there I just love the golf swing comes up out of his posture and drops to the inside great footwork again does not leave anything in the bag I think my biggest competitor I’d say myself because everybody’s capable of beating me out here and and there’s there’s more competition than ever so I

Wouldn’t say this guy’s my biggest competitor this guy because uh unless I do my job I just you get absolutely smoked out here so if you start focusing on trying to beat one guy um you’re generally going to forget about yourself and that’s when um you’re going to lose

By 40 yards so um you just I mean honestly it does come down to hitting a golf shot you swing the club 170 m hour but hit it off the toe um it’s not very helpful so hit the middle of the face hit the type of shot you want and then

Um you know you try to put the pressure on the other guy all right now the rain is starting to come down just a little bit harder with three balls to play what a cool look with the Sun out over the Pacific Ocean only about a mile

From here couple miles from here and that’s not what Casto is worried about right now he’s worried about a ball in the grid yeah he’s not thinking about going surfing he’s thinking about going smashing except those are windows all right so now Justin James clearly in

The driver’s seat he’s got 398 on the board he’s got three balls left and if he gets another one north of 350 he will unlock the bonus time and he is giving it everything he has in the back all right art two B left for Casto

He’s got to get one in right here he really does and he can and again he’s not a player that is afraid of this number he’s just got to hit his shot and hit it straight and he can get him a Go all right that one a really high ball that won’t get in and if it does it won’t get to 400 all right so out of bounds and they’ve had to cover these flight scope monitor so again if you’re seeing the tracers at home and something doesn’t

Look right again there’s huge rain out here a lot of stuff going on out here so uh we’re doing our best for you all right so Justin James has one hand on the [Applause] trophy that one drifting a little bit off to the right [Applause] okay

So it comes down to this as they’re just waiting to make sure that last ball went out of bounds this is what it’s all about t Casto find something last ball and that is not going to do it so Justin James is our champion and he will not even have to

Hit his sixth ball so AR singer Justin James came in as one of the favorites and he got it done once twice and now three times absolutely great performance he did it on the golf course today he was Focus we both saw him he was laser

Focused coach what a great win the event that he wanted to win right here the MB championship in Huntington all right Jeff Farley standing by with our [Applause] champion I’m here on the tea with our new Champion I know you flirted with victory at this event before finally got

One you finally got one I’m so proud of you and uh tell us what was going on with all the conditions going on on the T box there well you try the best you can to keep your uh grip dry or that clubs going in that house over there you

Worry about the balls you worry about the driver um so desperately trying to keep the uh grips dry and then just stay calm uh been a great week uh got to go back to uh Calvary Chapel yesterday where I grew up and uh glad to win the event man it’s great great well

Congratulations that was a great Victory thank you man appreciate it very happy Justin James that is for sure and you can tell art when you just are in a really good place mentally and clearly physically he swung the golf club so consistent with every single round I

Watched him on the course today he looked cool calm collected it didn’t matter what curveball was thrown at him he handled every condition coach all right when we come back we will award the trophies congratulations Dustin James and Kelly rdy we’re Back World long drive is brought to you by Hyundai add more joy to every Journey at the Hyundai getaway sales event today by Bridgestone Golf and the E9 long drive the official ball of world long drive E9 long drive extreme ball speed extreme distance and by moncky Cold snacks just beer born in Boseman what an afternoon it has been here in Huntington Beach California as we bring you back down here on the te we’re here with our Champions and I’m going to start with my right Kelly rudney and Bob Halpin from driving out cancer is here to present the trophy as

You do that Kelly The Dramatics a sixth ball and then getting it done against a three-time world champion you got to be proud of yourself I’m super proud I I struggled last year and and I this is my time I think I’m old enough I’m I’m nearing my end and I’m

Going to keep on pushing and you’re going to have a really good 2024 season so now that you win the first one as we head into the rest of the season what does this do for your confidence oh skyrocketed I know I can do it it’s my first world Line Drive win

Fantastic fantastic I’m super happy that it’s this win and we’re happy for you as well let me come over here our men’s champ ion Justin James and we have Paul imof from Hyundai thank you so much for being a part of this and Justin you told

Jeff how badly you wanted to win this tournament how much it meant to you but to get it done three different ways pretty good yeah you know um I’ve been here this is my fourth time I think I’ve uh mucked it up a few times my good

Buddy beat me here the first time so um good to get a w um this where I grew up around here um going to Calvary Chapel and uh born at Newport so it’s home and um it’s just such a blessing to not only win but uh thank you Jesus for being

Able to compete it’s so fun I mean this is like the greatest thing in the world you don’t have to putt you just hit drivers which is very nice Paul as you give the trophy to Justin the the conditions really changed out here you had wind first then the wind was coming

Back and then you had wind and you went north of 400 the crowd was certainly behind you how difficult were the conditions well I was fortunate to have most of the win that way I was taking a break when it went in but at the end um

Little bit of is this the first time it’s rained all year in southern I don’t know but um staying dry nobody brought umbrellas CU we were coming here um we didn’t really have towels so it was uh in that situation you had to do everything possible to keep the grips

Dry cuz if your grips aren’t dry you’re absolutely done and then the balls any bit of water um you’re probably hitting the houses cuz it’s going to squirt everywhere well we actually did get a call from one of the houses but that’s okay we’re not going to do that so

Congratulations once again to Justin James our men Champion Kelly rudney our women’s champion and we’re just getting started here in 2024 and how great is it to have us back on Golf Channel this season as well so we’re just getting started for everybody at the Golf Channel our entire crew my partner our

Selinger Jeff Farley and everybody here raise the trophies up I am the coach we’ll see you next time the world long drive is back in 2024 good night everybody [Applause] [Applause] The