The day I hit ball further than Daly
Blairgowrie man‘sTexas challenge
Andrew Gibson has always been able to hit the long ball. But not many expected the Blairgowrie golfer to knock one beyond John Daly.
The 20-year-old was invited to tee-up at the Insperity Invitational, a PGA Tour Champions event held in Texas, for a fun-filled driving challenge against the two-time Major winner.
A 321-yard hit witnessed Gibson, who attends the University of Houston, fend off the efforts of Daly and other competitors to take the plaudits.
He was presented with two tickets to Fuzzy Zoeller’s Ultra Premium Vodka suite for the 2018 Indianapolis 500.
“It was just a random selection process that ended up with me being there so I was very excited to be taking part,” Gibson said.
“Then I was even more excited to actually win the event. It was a strange feeling if I’m being honest.
“John Daly was someone that I had looked up to as a kid and I had always been mesmerised by how far he can hit it.
“I think if I had tried to beat him when he was aged 20, it might have gone the other way.
“There was maybe just shy of 100 people there watching the event and it was fun to have a large number of people cheer for you for something golf related.
“It really was such a great experience meeting John Daly and a few of the Champions Tour guys when they are in their environment.
“I also got to chat with Fuzzy Zoeller on the range too which is always a pleasure. For a short while we talked about St Andrews and The Open.
“He was just a genuine guy and it was great to be around him.”
Gibson puts his big-hitting ability down to timing more than smashing the ball.
He said: “I’ve always believed that growing up as one of the younger juniors at my club, and trying to keep up with the older boys, has led to me being able to hit the ball far.
“I have always been able to hit the ball a long way but I’m just finally starting to keep it on the same planet.
“I think a lot of people attribute distance to trying to literally swing out of their shoes so to speak.
“But I believe that good timing and a solid connection will give you all the distance you need.
“You would be surprised by how swinging in a little bit more rhythm can increase your distance.”
Gibson’s time at the University of Houston has seen him mingle with stars of the golfing world.
Now his mission is to carve out his own success story in the game.
He said: “Two years have flown by in Houston. I have loved all of it and I can’t wait for the next three years.
“My golf has improved drastically and it is really fun to keep improving.
“The ultimate goal has always been to play on tour and that is the standards I hold myself to each time I go out and practise.
“Fortunately I have had the opportunity to talk to many different, current and past, tour players while I have been here.
“It just makes me want to keep working harder to make sure I give myself the opportunities to play alongside them one day.” Andrew Gibson mingles with stars at Insperity Invitational in Texas in the US, and below, John Daly. Pic: Insperity Invitational
If I’d tried to beat him when he was aged 20, it might have gone the other way