UK's Biggest Hitters Ready for American Golf Long Drive Final

37 long drivers have made it to the final which takes place at High Legh Golf Club

American golf long drive

37 competitors have qualified for the American Golf Long Drive Championship final on Friday 19th August

UK's Biggest Hitters Ready for American Golf Long Drive Final

The American Golf Long Drive Championship reaches its conclusion this Friday at High Legh Golf Club in Cheshire.

American Golf Long Drive won by 333-yard shot

From over 1000 contestants across Open, Over 45 and Ladies categories, the final 37 have made it through local and regional qualifying to battle it out for the title of American Golf Long Drive Champion along with automatic qualification for the World Long Drive Finals in October.

Defending champions Dan Konyk (Open), Steve Kent (Over 45) and Rebecca McGinley (Ladies) will all be there trying to make it back-to-back wins.

American Golf Long Drive

Dan Konyk after victory in 2015

Competition is expected to be fierce at the as Daniel Gathercole, Director of Marketing and Communications at American Golf explains, “Last year’s event uncovered some incredible talent with Rebecca McGinley, our first Ladies Champion, now ranked third in the world. The distances we’ve seen at regional qualifying are way in excess of last year so we’re expecting the final to produce even more fireworks and hopefully someone who can match or even better Rebecca’s achievements.”

American Golf Junior Championship line up finalised

Seven of the qualifiers for the final have recorded distances in excess of last year’s winning drive so returning champion, Long Drive professional Dan Konyk, will have to be on his best form to stand a chance of retaining his title.

American Golf Long Drive

Rebecca McGinley

With a ticket to the World Finals and a year as ambassador for American Golf and Garmin on the line, Konyk is working hard to meet the challenge of this year’s event.

“The guys at regional qualifying have been hitting some really big numbers so I know I’ll have to be at my best to compete,” said the Huddersfield pro.

American Golf secure World Long Drive Championship deal

“I’ve had a fantastic year as champion doing promotional work and video tips for American Golf as well as representing them and Garmin at the World Championships. I’m working hard to get up to my best form so I can stand a chance of having another year as Champion.”

American Golf Long Drive

2015's Over 45 champion Steve Kent

The winner of each category wins a Garmin hamper along with the American Golf title and a trip to represent American Golf and Garmin at the 2017 World Long Drive Championship in Oklahoma.

The American Golf Long Drive Championship final at High Legh Park is free to attend and spectators are welcome to add to the party atmosphere expected on the night.

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