Sorry PING, that new G400 just couldn’t stand up to the new BASHER on the PGA Tour.
Cameron Champ broke it (see photo), cracked the crown and had to go to his back-up last week.
Champ has more than lived up to the hype he brought with him from the Web.com Tour where he earned his 2018 playing privileges. He didn’t waste much time, he stepped into the Winner’s Circle last Sunday in Jackson, Mississippi, winning the prized Chanticleer trophy at the Sanderson Farms Championship, with that back-up driver.
His numbers are ridiculous: 129.66 miles per hour clubhead speed; 192.67 miles per hour ball speed.
Keith Mitchell led the PGA Tour last year at 124.67 and 182.22, respectively.
Tony Finau generates a 181.81 mph ball speed, Rory McIlroy, 181.57.
Sean Foley is his instructor and here’s a taste of his overview on Champ:
“I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. When he started hitting balls, I was just in awe, really. I’ve worked with a lot of really great junior golfers and they’re great for different reasons, but I’ve never seen a kid, at 14, have an in-control 180 (miles per hour) ball speed off the tee. You have no idea how straight he hits it. Imagine Hunter Mahan from an accuracy standpoint, but 30 yards longer than Dustin Johnson. He used to just “get up and hit it,” says Foley, but Champ’s understanding of the “why” in golf, versus the “how,” is something that has been measurably improved as he looks towards the PGA TOUR.
“When you have that kind of physics and that kind of speed … its all geometry after that,” says Foley.
“There are footprints on the moon, so I guess the sky’s not the limit for him.”
Champ’s numbers last year on the Web.com weree mind-boggling: first in driving distance, second in scoring average, first in total eagles, second in ball-striking, fourth in greens in regulation.
Not only is Champ hitting it longer than anyone on Tour – and, arguably, longer than anyone on the planet – he’s also hitting it straighter than almost anyone, too.
Add all that up and you’re talking HUGE potential.
Only question now is — can he win again this season.
Stay tuned. This oughta be good.
