The sport of long driving got a big boost with Thursday’s announcement that GF Sports & Entertainment has acquired both World Long Drive and the Pro Long Drivers Association. The move also includes a deal with NBC Sports to air events on Golf Channel.

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In other words, golf fans are going to see a lot more long drive competitions this year. And Bryson DeChambeau, a major champion whose presence in the sport no doubt played a major role in Thursday’s news.

“World Long Drive is exciting, challenging and fun,” DeChambeau said. “I started long drive to increase my swing speed and then I got addicted to hitting it farther and farther. I’m looking forward to qualifying for Atlanta and competing on a national stage in 2023.”

DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open winner who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf last year, surprised many by getting into professional long drive at the end of 2021. Then he nearly shocked the long drive world when he almost won the 2022 PLDA World Championship in October, losing to Martin Borgmeier in the final.

Thursday’s move means the sport’s two main factions are fully united, yielding a record $1.1 million prize purse and a schedule of 12 events, culminating with the WLD Championship October 18-22 in Atlanta. Ten of those events will be televised on Golf Channel, which previously owned the World Long Drive Association and aired events until 2020.

“To say I am thrilled for World Long Drive to be returning to television is an understatement,” said two-time world champ and current World No. 1 Kyle Berkshire. “The sport and its athletes deserve to be showcased on this platform, and I am excited for all of us to deliver many memorable moments and storylines to the viewers over the years to come.”

The post Why golf fans are going to see a lot more World Long Drive — and Bryson DeChambeau — in 2023 appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

After Bryson DeChambeau nearly won the Charles Schwab Challenge by treating it like a World Long Drive event, the response was about as typical as it gets. “That swing is not sustainable” and “he’s going to get injured” and “I’m already tired of all the Bryson love” were among the takes from the Bryson haters, of which there are many.

Now, some of those takes could very well prove to be right. But for now, maybe we should just enjoy Bryson hulk-smashing his way around these courses and have a little fun for once. This week he’ll take on Harbour Town, a course that wouldn’t be described as a bomber’s paradise. You have to be able to shape shots, lay back on certain holes and position yourself in certain parts of the fairway for a good angle into the green on the Pete Dye design.

The same could be said of Colonial, though, and DeChambeau cut every corner and had wedges into greens all last week. Judging by this video of DeChambeau at the Harbour Town range, he may be sticking to that plan in Hilton Head:

https://twitter.com/JonathanYarwood/status/1273001799969054721

What’s so unique about this video? Well, according to Jonathan Yarwood, one of the top teachers in South Carolina according to Golf Digest, DeChambeau had to move to the back of the range so he didn’t hit it over the net. As Yarwood states, these heat-seeking missiles may have ended up in someone’s kitchen if DeChambeau was hitting from where everyone else was. The man is absolutely drunk with power.

On Thursday and Friday, DeChambeau will play alongside Webb Simpson and Davis Love III, who average 302.1 and 282.7 yards off the tee, respectively. Bryson might have a football field between the both of them if he’s flying it 360.

The post Bryson DeChambeau had to move to the back of the Harbour Town range so he didn’t hit it over the net, is drunk with power appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.