Ian Poulter and Paul Casey went out on a wing and a prayer in their attempt to land the world long-drive record – but they were unable to wrest the title from London Golf Show-backed Paul Slater.
The two Ryder Cup stars took time out from preparing for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship to drive down the runway at Abu Dhabi in search of a new world record.
Slater set the current world record in February 2005 at London City Airport at a London Golf Show event. His prodigious effort raised the record to 720 yards.
Poulter and Casey’s attempt differed in one respect – while Slater drove from a mat on the runway, the two young guns of English golf drove from the wing of an Etihad Airways Boeing 767.
Casey and Poulter did not hold back in their efforts and both registered several drives over 600 yards – with Poulter’s longest measuring 696 yards while Casey came up just 31 yards shy of Slater’s world best.
"I may not have broken the world record but that was definitely the longest drive I have ever hit," said Casey.
It is hoped Slater will go head-to-head with European Tour pros at four runway long-drive events during the 2006 season.
Dates for the four events have yet to be set, but three venues have already been identified.
The London Golf Show returns to ExCeL, London, from April 27-30, and will cover an area the size of five football pitches, with a four-day retail exhibition aimed at all standards of golfer.
Check out the website at: www.londongolfshow.com.
Contact:
David Garlant, Dave Bowers or Lee Todd
08700 330550
david.garlant@prcpr.co.uk, dave@prcpr.co.uk or lee@prcpr.co.uk
