Bubba set to reach Ping's long drive charity target

Bubba Watson is only four drives away from reaching his 'Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by Ping' charity promotion target of 300 drives over 300 yards

Bubba's driver

Big-hitting American Bubba Watson is only four 300-yard drives away from reaching the target set out earlier this year in the 'Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by Ping' charity promotion.

The 2012 Masters Champion has blasted 296 drives 300 yards or further with his all-pink Ping G20 driver, and should comfortably reach his target of 300 at The Barclays this week.

After Watson announced 'Bubba and Friends Drive to a Million' - a year-long campaign to raise $1m for charity - in January, Ping donated $10,000 and pledged a further $300 for every drive Bubba hit over 300 yards (up to 300 drives).

So far, Bubba's 296 drives have raised $88,000 from Ping, who also contributed $250,000 from the sale of 5,000 pink G20 drivers.

"It's been a lot of fun this year knowing every drive over 300 yards carries a little extra incentive," said Watson.

"Ping's support of my goal of raising $1m this season has been amazing.

"Between this promotion and the pink G20 driver program, where they donated $50 from the sale of each driver, they'll contribute $350,000 to charity.

"I'm grateful for their continued support," he added.

This season, nearly 63% of Watson's drives have travelled over 300 yards, the highest percentage on tour. He currently leads the PGA Tour in driving distance, averaging 315.9 yards off the tee.

The 'Bubba Long in Pink. Driven by Ping' initiative began with the Farmers Insurance Open, and is expected to finish on Sunday. Below is a list of Bubba's 300-yard drives by tournament:

Farmers Insurance Open: 26 Waste Management Phoenix Open: 43 Northern Trust Open: 35 WGC-Cadillac Championship: 34 Arnold Palmer Invitational: 31 Zurich Classic of New Orleans: 36 the Memorial Tournament: 15 Travelers Championship: 31 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: 45

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x