Each week on GolfChannel.com, we’ll take a detailed look at the players who pounded the farthest and fastest drives on the PGA Tour. Here are the five most important distance-related stats from the Honda Classic:
Longest drive: Sergio Garcia, 403 yards
He’s only 5-foot-10, but he hit a ball the length of four football fields. Garcia’s blast trails the mark set by Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy at Kapalua by just 18 feet. Garcia finished T-31 at the Honda at 3 over par.
Recent leaders: Jordan Spieth, 382 yards (Northern Trust Open); Andrew Loupe, 369 yards (Pebble Beach Pro-Am)
Driving distance: Patrick Rodgers, 303 yards
The 22-year-old Hogan Award winner finished in a tie for 44th at 5 over for the championship. Dustin Johnson, who has played just four events since his return, continues to lead the Tour on average at 313.7 yards.
Recent leaders: Dustin Johnson, 314.9 yards (Northern Trust Open); Brandon Hagy, 324.5 yards (Pebble Beach Pro-Am)
Carry Distance: Patrick Rodgers, 292.8 yards
Distance hasn’t been a problem for Rodgers. He’s fifth on Tour this year in total driving distance at 302.5 yards. Hitting fairways has been an issue. In that respect, he’s all the way down at 200th, finding the short grass only 50.9 percent of the time.
Recent leaders: Bubba Watson, 310.0 yards (Northern Trust Open); Brandon Hagy, 314.3 yards (Pebble Beach Pro-Am)
Clubhead speed: Brooks Koepka, 122.85 mph
Koepka started the week in a powerhouse grouping with Johnson and Rory McIlroy and was the only one of the three to make the cut. His erratic week looked like this: 78-64-70-74.
Recent leaders: Tony Finau, 126.17 (Northern Trust Open); Brandon Hagy, 128.58 (Pebble Beach Pro-Am)
Ball speed: Brooks Koepka, 179.87 mph
With this kind of speed, it’s no surprise that Koepka is behind only Johnson in average distance this year at 309.8 yards.
Recent leaders: Tony Finau, 184.06 (Northern Trust Open); Brandon Hagy, 190.38 (Pebble Beach Pro-Am)
