By Kent Gray
Tim Burke is back to defend his title as a beefed up second season of the Long Drive World Series (LDWS) makes its bow at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Friday night. And you could give the beast a run for his money.

The 31-year-old American edged Thursday qualifier and LDWS Portugal champion Ryan Reisbeck 335 yards to 329.5 yards in the inaugural Dubai final last March and also produced the longest drive of 341 in brisk headwinds.

The ‘Blonde Bomber’ will be hoping for something in access of 400 yards on Friday if the weather plays ball on the JGE driving range where the organisers have promised “bitter rivalries, big personalities, sudden-death knock outs…with pyrotechnics, DJs, walk-on music, a licensed setting, DJs, food trucks and free entry”.

Reisbeck is also back alongside a who’s who of the long drive world. The entry list includes reigning LDWS UK champion Emil Rosberg (Sweden), two-time world champion Joe Miller (U.K.), Ilija Djurdjevic (Serbia); American’s Ryan Steenberg, Kevin Shook, Will Hogue and Maurice Allen, and Tommy Hug, James Tait and Scott Bevan (all U.K.).

The stars, along with three UAE wildcard qualifiers, will compete for a purse of the AED 94,500 (£19,000).

If you fancy testing your swing against the world’s heaviest hitters, register here or simply show up on Friday. It’ll cost you AED 996 (£200) but includes VIP tickets and access to the players’ lounge during the event, along with a lifetime of kudos from your pals if you qualify.

Enter the UAE Wildcard Qualifiers

The LDWS main event takes place from 7pm. Entry is free with VIP packages available for purchase. Fans are also welcome to attend the open qualifiers from 10am (also Feb. 9) and player seeding at 3pm.

Having launched in Dubai last March before momentum generating stops in the U.K. and Portugal last year, the 2018 LDWS has upped the ante with 10 events earmarked: Dubai (Feb.9), Mexico (March 15-19), South Africa (April 11-13),  United States (May TBC), United Kingdom (June TBC), Sweden (July TBC), Russia (Aug. TBC), Portugal (Sept. TBC), China (Oct. TBC), Turkey (Nov. TBC).

For more details visit: longdriveworldseries.com