Justin James wins Volvik World Long Drive Championship
THACKERVILLE, Okla. (AP) Justin James won the Volvik World Long Drive Championship on Wednesday night, beating Canadian Mitch Grassing in the final round at WinStar World Casino and Resort.
After Grassing failed to find the grid on all eight of attempts in the two-round final, James - needing only to put one of his last four balls on the grid at the minimum 270 yards - hit a 435-yarder on his first shot in the second round to take the $125,000 top prize.
The 27-year-old James, from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, beat Paul Howell of Wilson, North Carolina, in the quarterfinals at 434 yards, and topped Kyle Berkshire of Crofton, Maryland, in the semifinals at 437 yards.
Grassing, from Ottawa, Ontario, beat Wes Patterson of St. Louis, in the quarterfinals at 435 yards, and edged Kyle Berkshire of Orlando, Florida, in the semifinals at 437 yards.
Sandra Carlborg won her fifth women's title, beating Heather Lynne Manfredda with a 320-yard drive. The 33-year-old Swede also won in 2011, `12, `14 and `15. She earned $20,000.
The 31-year-old Manfredda, from League City, Texas, had a best of 316 yards in the final.
Carlborg had a 349-yard drive in the semifinals against Alexis Belton of Ruston, Louisiana.
