Jeff Flagg Wins Long Drive Championship by the Smallest-Ever Margin

Jeff Flagg Wins Long Drive Championship by the Smallest-Ever Margin
American Jeff Flagg is $250,000 USD richer after winning last night’s Re/Max World Long Drive Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Beating competitor Jeff Crittenden by just 13 yards.

The Long Drive Championship helps determine the golfer with the longest drive. Qualifiers take place throughout the year as athletes from around the globe take part to show their strength and tremendous ability. With competitors regularly reaching swing speeds of 150 mph and ball speeds of 220 mph, numbers the pros don’t even come close to!

Flagg, a former minor league baseball player, has spent the last 2 ½ years perfecting his long drive ability. After losing a qualifier earlier this year the 29-year-old almost gave up on the contest. But at the urging of one of his friends and his girlfriend, Flagg decided to give it another try.

“I was kind of dejected, ready to hang it up,” recalled Flagg. “I'm one of those guys that just gives it one shot, see what happens. I’m not going to chase it around, I mean, it's kind of expensive. (But) I kept it going and haven't lost since.  It's unbelievable how this year played out.”

Armed with his Callaway X2 Hot Driver, Flagg made it to last night’s final eight at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort and took on Crittenden, the man who eliminated him before.

The battle of the Jeffs went down to the wire as both golfers hit past the 365-yard marker. With the final measurements showing Flagg at 20 inches past as opposed to Crittenden’s 7 inches.

“I thought I had him, but if there’s anything I learned from baseball is that you can’t get too high or too low until it’s a done deal.” Flagg told reporters afterwards. With the results confirmed Flagg gratuitously accepted his prize and is looking forward to becoming a Long Drive ambassador.

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