Zuback Back On Top Of Long Drive World

MESQUITE, NEV. - Canadian Jason Zuback, generally credited with putting power golf on the sports landscape, won the 2006 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship for a record fifth time Saturday night at The Palms GC here.

Zuback claimed the open division title with a drive of 368 yards, 29", defeating runner-up Eric Lastowka (355 yards, 6") in the match-play finals.

Zuback, who reeled off four consecutive world titles from 1996-99, earned $125,000 from a record RE/MAX purse of $500,000.

Lastowka collected $50,000 for his career-best performance. He previously reached the open division finals in 2001.

Zuback, a resident of Calgary, Alberta, was elected to the Long Drivers of America (LDA) Hall of Fame in 2003. He has been featured in TV commercials for Pinnacle golf balls and Cobra drivers, among others.

Zuback, 36, posted the longest drive of the evening finals, 386 yards, with temperatures in the low 60s and no appreciable breeze.

The RE/MAX WLDC senior division finals pitted reigning and former world champions. Gerry James, the 2005 title holder, outgunned 2004 winner Bobby Wilson to take the $35,000 first prize.

James, 46, a resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, posted 378 yards, 30". Wilson, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, managed a best of 363 yards, 11" in the final six-ball set.

Earlier, the women's division final featured a duel between first-time finalists. Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand, won with 326 yards, 13"; Jackelyn Diekemper of Champaign, Illinois, was runner-up with 282 yards, 12".

In the super senior division, for competitors 55-and-up, Doug Miller of Fort Wayne, Indiana, edged Bill Droege of St. Louis, Missouri, 326 yards, 6" to 324 yards, 30."

Both Meti and Miller collected $14,000 for their winning performances.

Complete results and round-by-round scoring are available at Long Drivers of America.