The 31-year-old American edged Thursday qualifier and LDWS Portugal champion Ryan Reisbeck 335 yards to 329.5 yards in the inaugural Dubai final last March and also produced the longest drive of 341 in brisk headwinds.

The ‘Blonde Bomber’ will be hoping for something in access of 400 yards on Friday if the weather plays ball on the JGE driving range where the organisers have promised “bitter rivalries, big personalities, sudden-death knock outs…with pyrotechnics, DJs, walk-on music, a licensed setting, DJs, food trucks and free entry”.

Reisbeck is also back alongside a who’s who of the long drive world. The entry list includes reigning LDWS UK champion Emil Rosberg (Sweden), two-time world champion Joe Miller (U.K.), Ilija Djurdjevic (Serbia); American’s Ryan Steenberg, Kevin Shook, Will Hogue and Maurice Allen, and Tommy Hug, James Tait and Scott Bevan (all U.K.).

The stars, along with three UAE wildcard qualifiers, will compete for a purse of the AED 94,500 (£19,000).

If you fancy testing your swing against the world’s heaviest hitters, register here or simply show up on Friday. It’ll cost you AED 996 (£200) but includes VIP tickets and access to the players’ lounge during the event, along with a lifetime of kudos from your pals if you qualify.

Enter the UAE Wildcard Qualifiers

The LDWS main event takes place from 7pm. Entry is free with VIP packages available for purchase. Fans are also welcome to attend the open qualifiers from 10am (also Feb. 9) and player seeding at 3pm.

Having launched in Dubai last March before momentum generating stops in the U.K. and Portugal last year, the 2018 LDWS has upped the ante with 10 events earmarked: Dubai (Feb.9), Mexico (March 15-19), South Africa (April 11-13),  United States (May TBC), United Kingdom (June TBC), Sweden (July TBC), Russia (Aug. TBC), Portugal (Sept. TBC), China (Oct. TBC), Turkey (Nov. TBC).

For more details visit: longdriveworldseries.com

The post ‘Blonde Bomber’ Burke back to defend Dubai LDWS title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 32-year-old won his second World Long Drive Championships title in Thackerville, Oklahoma in October but his preparation for the bow of the rival series in Dubai has been limited to an indoor simulator and as many outdoor range sessions as the English winter would allow.

“After a winter break it’s been good to be back out hitting although the weather has been restrictive at home. Obviously the form was good at the end of 2016 so we’ll see tomorrow [Friday] evening,” Miller told Golf Digest Middle East.

Miller will peg it up alongside a whose who of the long driving world on the JGE driving range.

Two-time former world champion Tim Burke looms as the major danger although a windy week in Dubai shapes as an equaliser. Also competing are Englishman Lucas Dornan, American and reigning two-time European champion Maurice Allen, Britain’s Brad Pearmain (2016 Italian champion), Serbia’s Ilija Djurdjevic (2016 Portugal champion) Sweden’s Emil Rosberg (2016 Scandinavian champion) and current world No.2 Ryan Steenberg whom Miller toppled in the Oklahoma final last October.

Local interest will focus on Dubai amateur Ricky Domínguez who earned a start in the £50,000 event with a 351.7 yard hit in an eGolf Megastore qualifier.

SEE ALSO
Dubai amateur Dominguez qualifies for Long Drive World Series with 351.7 yard simulator smash

Miller, whose best competition nudge is 474 yards, admits there is pressure being the reigning world champion but insists he’s up for the early season challenge where he expects Burke to be a particular threat.

“It’s hard work to get to the top so I’d like to stay here. Of course everyone wants to win and it will be tight, especially as we’re into the wind and uphill,” said Miller who clinched the world title with a 423 swat in the final against Steenberg after an earlier 439 yard effort in the semifinals.

“Everyone has a chance due to the heavy wind although Tim Burke probably stands out just a touch.”

SEE ALSO
World champ Joe Miller challenges long drive rival Lucas Dornan to a short game challenge, hilarity ensues

Tonight’s event at JGE begins at 5pm and includes the usual long drive razzmatazz including live a DJ, food trucks and pyrotechnics. Entry is free.

The post World champ Joe Miller hails new Long Drive World Series, itching for Dubai duel appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Dornan is in Dubai promoting the new Long Drive World Series which will take its global bow at Jumeirah Golf Estates on March 17.

The 31-year-old Londoner and two-time reigning world champion Joe Miller headline a who’s who of the long driving world confirmed for the inaugural £50,000 (US$62,000) event which will be streamed live around the globe and proceeds tournaments earmarked for London, Asia and the U.S.

The JGE tournament will also feature two wildcard picks, one of which is open to a UAE amateur via a qualifying tournament launched by Dornan Monday at eGolf Megastore’s Al Wasl shop.

Dornan gave the store’s X-Golf simulator, and the ear drums of shoppers on hand for the made to media promo, a fright to launch the Long Drive World Series.

With his 415 yard marker laid down, weekend warriors are now invited in store for the next three weeks to try and qualify for the main event on the European Tour Performance Institute driving range at JGE which will have all the usual long drive razzmatazz including pyrotechnics and onsite DJ.

Lucas Dornan had the X Golf simulator at eGolf Megastore spitting out some spectacular numbers on Monday including this bomb

Like normal long drive competitions, amateurs will be given three minutes on the simulator (eight balls max) to be crowned the UAE’s longest amateur and must keep their ball inside a grid that is 100 yards wide. The grid for JGE will be an even narrower 60 yards and 550 yards long – with the aim of winning the event and breaking the current world record of 515 yards.

The weekend warrior winner mightn’t be able to compete with the long ball pros at JGE – Miller’s winning drive at last year’s world championships was 423 yards (he hit a 439 yarder in the semifinals), while Dornan’s competition best was four yards longer – but they will surely savour the experience.

Two-time former world champion Tim Burke, fellow American and reigning two-time European champion Maurice Allen, Britain’s (2016 Italian champion), Serbia’s Ilija Djurdjevic (2016 Portugal champion) Sweden’s Emil Rosberg (2016 Scandinavian champion) and current world No.2 Ryan Steenberg are also lined up.

“This event promises to inject some real glamour into the sport that I love and I am very proud to be lining up alongside these players…they really are the cream of the crop,” Dornan said.

“We will we push each other to our limits and in the right conditions, I expect to see drives well in excess of 400 yards across the board.”

The JGE event includes an open qualifier on March 16 to secure the other wildcard spot. The final the following day will run into the evening.

Said Miller: “I am really excited to be competing in Dubai in the first Long Drive World Series… an amazing location with an elite field of proven winners from around the world. It’s going to be an exciting event and hopefully I can reign in the desert.”

Photo by Kristina Nabieva

The post Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates <br> to host £50,000 Long Drive <br> World Series opener appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.