This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/06/us-pga-louis-oosthuizen-bubba-watson-rory-mcilroy-longest-drive

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US PGA 2014: Louis Oosthuizen wins longest drive as Bubba Watson protests US PGA 2014: Louis Oosthuizen wins longest drive as Bubba Watson protests
(about 1 hour later)
The former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen won the long drive competition at Valhalla before the US PGA Championship, but it was the double Masters champion, Bubba Watson, who chose not to take part who dominated the headlines. The former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen won the long drive competition at Valhalla before the US PGA Championship, but it was the double Masters champion, Bubba Watson, who chose not to take part, who dominated the headlines.
All the players at Valhalla were offered the opportunity to hit one tee shot from the 10th tee during practice rounds on Tuesday, with the distance measured as long as the ball finished on the fairway. The top three received a money clip inspired by the one that Jack Nicklaus was given for the first of his two consecutive wins in 1963.All the players at Valhalla were offered the opportunity to hit one tee shot from the 10th tee during practice rounds on Tuesday, with the distance measured as long as the ball finished on the fairway. The top three received a money clip inspired by the one that Jack Nicklaus was given for the first of his two consecutive wins in 1963.
Oosthuizen’s winning drive was measured at 340 yards, just eclipsing the previous best of 338 yards set by Australia’s Jason Day.Oosthuizen’s winning drive was measured at 340 yards, just eclipsing the previous best of 338 yards set by Australia’s Jason Day.
The vast majority of players enjoyed the moment of light relief, but Masters champion Bubba Watson was not so happy and opted to hit a three iron off the tee on the 590-yard par five. The vast majority of players enjoyed the moment of light relief, but the Masters champion Bubba Watson was not so happy and opted to hit a three iron off the tee on the 590-yard par five.
“I want to practice the game of golf,” said Watson, who hit a drive measuring more than 400 yards in the Bridgestone Invitational last week. “I want to learn this golf course. I haven’t seen the 10th hole. I don’t see that we should have a competition like that while we’re playing a practice round and learning the golf course, trying to win a great championship.“I want to practice the game of golf,” said Watson, who hit a drive measuring more than 400 yards in the Bridgestone Invitational last week. “I want to learn this golf course. I haven’t seen the 10th hole. I don’t see that we should have a competition like that while we’re playing a practice round and learning the golf course, trying to win a great championship.
“There’s no reason to make something up in the middle of the practice round like that. That’s just me. Like it or not, that’s just who I am. That’s just what I think.”“There’s no reason to make something up in the middle of the practice round like that. That’s just me. Like it or not, that’s just who I am. That’s just what I think.”
Watson admitted he would actually use a driver on the 10th hole during the championship, adding: “Yeah, it will be driver every day. I was just trying to prove a point that nobody cared about.”Watson admitted he would actually use a driver on the 10th hole during the championship, adding: “Yeah, it will be driver every day. I was just trying to prove a point that nobody cared about.”
This year’s Open champion Rory McIlroy had two attempts, missed the fairway with both, and then retreated to the clubhouse.This year’s Open champion Rory McIlroy had two attempts, missed the fairway with both, and then retreated to the clubhouse.