2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship Final Preview

The 2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship comes to a conclusion at Heythrop Park on 4th August, here is the lowdown...

2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship

The 2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship comes to a conclusion at Heythrop Park on 4th August, here is the lowdown...

2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship Final Preview

Europe’s biggest hitters are preparing to descend on Heythrop Park for the climax of the American Golf UK Long Drive Championship.

The final, which is free to attend at the Oxfordshire venue on 4th August, is the most competitive ever and is bringing together Europe’s strongest Long Drive field to compete for the 2017 UK title and a coveted spot in the World Long Drive Championship.

Each competitor has won through two stages of qualifying against over 5000 golfers to reach the final, with records tumbling throughout.

Five of the qualifiers have hit over 400 yards, with Scotland’s John McSloy leading the way on 415 yards!

2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship

2016 winner Lucas Dornan with the trophy

Here are the competitors:

Lucas Dornan – Reigning Champion

Injured for much of the year but has just returned to training and shouldn’t be discounted after last year’s winning performance

Adam Stacey

Qualified T6 with 397 yards. Experienced long driver with 19 worldwide wins. Last event 6 years ago so much will depend on his reaction to his return to competition

James Tait

Sponsors invite after just missing out at regional qualifying. Has competed well on Long Drive World Series this year, beating World Long Drive Championship runner up Tim Burke in his last outing. Working with renowned LD coach Lee Cox – one to watch

Brad Pearmain

Sponsors invite after just missing out at regionals. Seeded in first place at 2016 final before hitting 6 OB shots in quarters. Recorded first win on Long Drive European Tour this year at German Open and has hit his first 400yard drive in competition. Real contender on his day.

Continues below

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Dan Konyk

Qualified 5th with 401 yards. 2015 Champion returning to form this year after a quiet 2016. Has consistently hit well this season without getting results. Very experienced long driver who is returning to form

Max Armstrong

Sponsors invite after just missing out at regionals. Relative newcomer to long drive but very impressive raw talent. Working with Joe Miller’s coach Lee Cox, so one to watch.

David Evans

Qualified 2nd with 412 yards. 2016 runner up who went on to take part in the World Long Drive Championships. Amateur long driver who consistently impresses in competition conditions. Definitely one to watch at these prices

James Fawsett

Qualified 3rd with 405 yards. Accomplished golfer, playing off scratch. Inexperienced at long drive but qualifying distance must make him a contender

John McSloy

No.1 qualifier with 415 yards. Hugely impressive at qualifying and showed well at 2016 finals. Not a full time long driver, can be inconsistent but on his day could destroy the field

Adam Hussain

Qualified T9 with 389 yards. Doctor from Stockport took part in qualifying for fun and beat many Pros. Not a favourite but can’t be ruled out after unexpected display at qualifying

Timo Petrasch

Qualified T9 with 389 yards. Has hit well this year on Long Drive European Tour. Flew in to qualifying from Germany to hit 6 balls so taking this competition very seriously. Good outside bet.

Vincent Palm

Qualified 4th with 403 yards. Won in Hungary on Long Drive European Tour with 424 yards. Good form and another German competitor who travelled especially to qualify for the final. Good form, winning pedigree this year and big qualifying numbers. Looks a great bet at these odds

Alex Robertson

Qualified T6 with 397 yards. 2016 semi-finalist who has gained valuable experience on Long Drive European Tour this year. 2nd at Austrian Open and qualified strongly here for the final. Good odds for an outside chance

Matt Blair

Qualified 8th with 392 yards. Complete novice in long drive. This big hitting club golfer impressed in qualification but would be a real surprise if he featured against an experienced and very strong field.

Nigel Hunt

Qualified T9 with 389 yards. Strong showing at qualifying but little known about this outside prospect.

Mark Thompson

Qualified T9 with 389 yards. Appeared at 2016 final with little success. Not competed since so despite good qualification a real outside bet.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV