Bryson DeChambeau advances in long drive competition

DeChambeau, 28, tied for second place on the first day of the event Tuesday, hitting drives of 412, 408, 407, 403 and 401 yards en route to advancing to the next round.

"I felt like I just won something today, I won a big PGA tournament, even though I just qualified for the next day, because it's my first time," DeChambeau said, via ESPN. "Being out there the first set was a little nerve-wracking for me, I wasn't comfortable. But going through the second, third, fourth, fifth, I just got more comfortable as time went on."

The Modesto, Calif., native came under some scrutiny earlier in the month for packing his schedule too tightly ahead of the Ryder Cup, mainly because his training regimen for the longest drive competition was so intense. It appears, though, that all his prep work is paying off.

DeChambeau, currently ranked seventh overall among PGA Tour pros, is part the group participating in the second round of the longest drive championship on Wednesday. Groups will be narrowed down over the next few days of the event with the top 16 golfers competing in the final round on Friday.