The distance Kyle Berkshire hit in his bid to beat John Daly’s 806-yard drive record

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If there is anyone likely to break John Daly’s world record drive on a runway, Kyle Berkshire is probably the best bet.

Berkshire has won the World Long Drive Championship four times, in 2019, 2020, 2021, and again in 2023.

On the other hand, Daly was considered the longest hitter on the PGA Tour throughout his prime. He was known for his laid-back approach to the game and had one of the most natural swings in golf.

And while that may be up for debate, his power off the tee never really was. His distance was incredible for the time he played.

In his day, Daly stood out as one of golf’s biggest hitters. But as equipment and training have changed over time, what once looked extraordinary now seems more routine compared to today’s standards.

Kyle Berkshire smashes John Daly’s 806-yard drive world record

Back in the 1990s, Daly set an 806-yard drive on a runway in LA, according to Essentially Sports.

That mark has stood ever since – until now.

Berkshire attempted to break it during a feature video on Ian Poulter’s YouTube channel called ‘World’s Longest Golf Shot’.

The challenge was not just to surpass Daly’s distance, but also to go beyond the 1,000-yard mark.

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In 2023, Berkshire set the world record for the longest drive on a golf course with a 579-yard shot at over 241 mph. But what he managed on the runway made that look small by comparison.

Berkshire managed a staggering 1,060 yards. He carried the ball over 400 yards through the air and gained more than half of his total from run out alone.

A truly remarkable feat of power from Berkshire, and one that could stand for quite some time – if not forever.

John Daly’s PGA Tour average driving distance record was remarkable

Until Tiger Woods arrived, Daly was miles ahead of everyone else when it came to distance off the tee.

Even after Woods appeared on the scene, Daly still stood out as the longest hitter by a fair margin.

Here are his average driving distances during a 12-year stretch from the early 1990s into the 2000s:

Those numbers are staggering, especially considering the equipment available at that time.

But while Daly set the standard in his era, Berkshire has raised it even further in recent years.

The fact that he surpassed Daly’s runway record by over 250 yards highlights just how much things have changed.