At a time when distance is top of the golfing news, Christo Lamprecht showed exactly why the R&A and USGA feel it's going too far, literally, by launching a huge bomb off the 18th tee at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
The big-hitting South African unleashed a 418-yard monster off the final tee at Leopard Creek Country Club during his first round in the DP World Tour event.
Lamprecht won the 2023 Amateur Championship at Hillside where he showcased his awesome power, and it was evident again in his native South Africa.
One of the game’s longest-running issues, the driving distance debate is back in the news following a revised golf ball rollback plan to counter the problem.
And so Lamprecht aptly produce a demonstration of just how far some of the biggest hitters in the modern game can smash the ball as he unleashed a drive Happy Gilmore would be thrilled with at the 18th.
He went on to make a birdie on the 18th as he carded a five-under round of 67 to sit just two shots off the lead held by Robin 'Tiger' Williams.
What have we just seen?! 🤯Christo Lamprecht with a 418 YARD drive at the 18th. #DunhillChamps pic.twitter.com/ELbdezJapkDecember 7, 2023
And while under the new golf rollback plans Lamprecht's drive would have 'only' been just around the 400-yard mark, with every other golfer in the same boat it illustrates Mike Whan's point that longer hitters will always have that advantage.
And it also shows that when Lamprecht does turn pro he'll be right up there with the biggest hitters on whatever Tour he ends up playing on.
Currently in his senior year at Georgia Tech, Lamprecht is a giant at six-feet-eight and uses those long levers to generate immense power.
And even if that power is limited somewhat by a golf ball rollback in the future, he'll still have that advantage over the regular hitters.