The "Long Drive Contest" will be held after every player holes out on Saturday is drawing all of the attention. Winner's prize will be 500,000 yen and more than that, an honor to be the "Long Drive" KING will be awarded.

10 players are able to enter the contest and Takahiro Hataji made an early announcement that he will be one of the contestants.

Takahiro's average distance is 315.05 yards, and he ranks No.2 and is getting noticed as a young long hitter. Chan Kim is leads 4.39 yards and sits at No.1 spot and this is making Takahiro really frustrating. He really wants to beat Chan Kim's average distance by the end of this season.

This year Takahiro was lucky to receive the sponsor invitation to this week's Top Cup Tokai Classic, and he wants to use any means to make an appeal. He has been under heavy practice after he got the invitation to this tournament. He says, in order to make a big swing to gain distance is totally different from the swings you must make during the tournament.
"During the tournament, I must save my power to keep the ball straight. But on the Long Drive Contest, I don't have to put any limit to my swing."

Takahiro has been practicing to imitating the swing by the winner of the World Long Drive Championship, Kyle Berkshire, who marked over 400 yards record.
"I have been learning from his swing on the SNS videos. I changed my grip to strong grip by overlapping my right hand more and widening my stance for 2 foot more. Before the shot, I stamp on my feet few times and shoot. I have tried at the practice ranges and I was surprised of the outcome myself. It was more than I expected. I am really looking forward for that contest."

But first things first.
"I must prepare to make the cut first. If not, I won't be there on Saturday to be entering the contest. But I will do my best. I was invited to the Pro-Am on the regular Tour for the first time this week. I am getting all the support I can get, so I want to do great to give back. Long Distance Contest is only 2 chance challenge, so I can't make any mistakes."

Takahiro is eager to do well both on the tournament and capturing the Long Drive title too.