Each week on GolfChannel.com, we’ll detail which players pounded the farthest and fastest drives on the PGA Tour. Here are the five most important distance-related stats from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, won by Matt Every:
Longest drive: Luke Guthrie, 370 yards
The former Illinois star’s big blast came on the 561-yard fourth hole in the final round. He eventually finished T-35 at Bay Hill.
Recent leaders: Charlie Beljan, 375 yards (Tampa); Branden Grace, 383 yards (Doral); Rory McIlroy, 370 yards (Honda); Bubba Watson, 362 yards (Riviera)
Driving distance: J.B. Holmes, 311.6 yards
The big hitter finished in a tie for 10th at Bay Hill, continuing a run of seven consecutive top 10s by the leaders in this category.
Recent leaders: Graham DeLaet, 305.4 yards (Tampa); Dustin Johnson, 328.8 yards (Doral); Rory McIlroy, 309.8 yards (Honda); Bubba Watson, 318.5 yards (Riviera)
Carry distance: Sean O’Hair, 299 yards
O’Hair tied for 10th at Bay Hill, though his chart-topper was the shortest since Charlie Beljan’s 286-yarder at the Sony. The longest this season is Dustin Johnson’s 319.5-yard poke at Pebble.
Recent leaders: Morgan Hoffmann, 305.1 yards (Tampa); Dustin Johnson, 310.8 yards (Doral); Ryan Palmer, 301.9 yards (Honda); Bubba Watson, 309.7 yards (Riviera)
Clubhead speed: Charlie Beljan, 123.89 mph
A fixture in this category, Beljan topped this statistic for the first time since the Humana Challenge. He tied for 43rd at Bay Hill.
Recent leaders: Jason Kokrak, 121.40 mph (Tampa); Bubba Watson, 124.50 mph (Doral); Brooks Koepka, 123.86 mph (Honda); Bubba Watson, 124.11 mph (Riviera)
Ball speed: Jason Kokrak, 181.20 mph
Kokrak finished solo fourth at the API and led this category for the second consecutive week. His fastest was slightly ahead of last week’s 180.12 mph ball speed.
Recent leaders: Jason Kokrak, 180.12 mph (Tampa); Bubba Watson, 184.26 mph (Doral); Brooke Koepka, 182.45 mph (Honda); Bubba Watson, 184.30 mph (Riviera)
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