Editor’s note: Airing each Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET through Dec. 12, The Big Break VI concept pits nine men and nine women competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their skills and mental toughness for the right to compete in two Champions Tour and two LPGA Tour events, respectively. One female and one male will be eliminated from the series each week, with the two standing being crowned Big Break VI: Trump National winners.
At least Sarah Lynn Johnston (Williamston S.C.) could finally enjoy a meal. Thats a consolation for the Furman University alum as both she and Rocky Rockett (Gastonia, N.C.) were eliminated in the fourth episode of The Big Break VI: Trump National.
After losing in a one-hole elimination match, Johnston commented that she hadnt been able to eat for four days without drinking Pepto Bismol. Welcome, or goodbye in the eliminated duos case, to Donald Trumps pressure cooker by the shores of the Pacific Ocean where the remaining contestants will vie for The Big Break VI title while Johnstons in the buffet line.
The Breaking the Glass Challenge made its first appearance on the Big Break IV.
Its over. Thats life and golf, Rockett said after being eliminated. Ive played golf all my life in all types of tournaments and for all types of money. This is more difficult than anything I have done.
With the players divided into four teams of three people - two female teams and two male teams - the episode was a smorgasbord of emotions at Trump National: Los Angeles.
The show featured a three-tier Immunity Challenge in which the male and female teams with the lowest point total would play in an Elimination Challenge. The six competitors from the two losing teams competed as individuals with the men playing the men and women facing women.
Johnstons and Rocketts exit took different paths. After the first two tiers of the Immunity Challenge, her team had a commanding lead with two points while his side was shut out.
The final portion of the challenge demonstrated how fast things can turn on The Big Break VI. In three head-to-head matches, one member from each team hit from a location ' 160 yards in the fairway, an 85-yard sidehill lie in light rough, and a 45-yard bunker shot ' with the individuals ball closest to the pin the winner. Each location was worth one point.
Johnston and her teammates, Laura London (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Rachel Bailey (Faulconbridge, NSW, Australia), needed to win only one head-to-match to advance.
With immunity on the line, Bri Vega (North Andover, Mass.) defeated Bailey followed by Bridget Dwyer (Kailua, Hawaii) beating London to even up the competition.
In the deciding match, Ashley Gomes (Pleasanton, Calif.) blasted her ball 56 1 from the hole while Johnston hit her shot heavy and didnt reach the green forcing her team to the Elimination Challenge.
I was so angry, was Johnstons summation of the turn of events.
Meanwhile, Rockett lost to Kelly Murray (Reston, Va.) at the second location to spare any frustration of a heartbreaking loss.
The Elimination Challenge was one hole of match play on the par-4 opening hole at Trump National. Playing first, each of the three men found the fairway with their tee shots. Both Albert Crews (Homer, La.) and Gary Ostrega (Westfield, N.J.) put their shots on the green, while Rockett hit his 57-yard wedge shot just off the back of the green.
After a pitch, he had 6-foot par putt to stave off elimination. Crews had already made a 7-footer for par and Ostrega was inches away from matching the score.
This is what its all about, Crews said of his putt. You just get up there and do what you got to do or go home.
Rockett didnt get it done as his attempt to match his former teammates slid by the right side of the hole.
Its what I know to do and what I enjoy doing. Ive had more success than failures, said Rockett. You learn to live with the bad days for all the good ones.
Johnston continued her forgettable day by compounding a mistake in the Immunity Challenge with a double bogey in the Elimination Challenge. Her approach shot from the fairway found the back rough of the green and eventually led to a missed 8-foot putt that could have extended the competition.
Bailey said it was emotional watching one of her good friends leave. Johnston felt the same way about departing.
Things didnt turn out like I wanted them to turn out, but I gave it my all, said Johnston, who like Rockett had faced elimination for the third consecutive show. I will succeed in anything I do and life will work out for me. Luckily, I got the chance to be on The Big Break VI.
Thats the way it goes in a situation where a stray shot and a missed putt leads to a heartfelt bon voyage, or in Johnstons case, bon appetit.
The 10 remaining contestant are still vying for the coveted tournament exemptions and other prizes. The female champion will receive an exemption into the 2007 SBS Open at Turtle Bay and the 2007 Longs Drugs Challenge, as well as waived entry fees for the 2007 Duramed FUTURES Tour season. The winning male contestant will receive exemptions into the 2007 Turtle Bay Championship and the 2007 Bank of America Championship, as well as waived entry fees in six events on the 2007 Heartland Players Senior Tour.
In addition, winners will receive the finest tools to make the most of their appearances at some of golfs most highly anticipated tournaments. Adams Golf will present the winners with an Adams Golf endorsement contract to keep them on top of their games. Also, NetJets, the worldwide leader in private aviation, will provide five hours of flight time to each winner so they may travel with the ultimate in safety, service and reliability.
To keep the champions fueled and energized when they are on the road, the McDonalds LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola will provide the winners with a $1,000 Arch Card to be used at McDonalds restaurants.
And finally, as a surprise to the contestants, the male and female champions will be joined by the eliminated contestants to compete for a chance to get into Trumps wallet! The ultimate winner of the match also will become the owner of an all new 2007 Chrysler Aspen - Chryslers first full-sized SUV.
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