John Daly manages to reach monster 17th

John Daly underlined his status as the game's biggest hitter by reaching the green in two shots at Baltusrol's mammoth par-five 17th in the U.S. PGA Championship third round on Saturday.

American Daly became the first player to achieve the feat at the 650-yard monster, the longest hole in championship golf, when the 1993 U.S. Open was staged on Baltusrol's famed Lower Course.

Although twice major winner Daly completed a birdie-four there on Saturday, it was one of very few bright spots for him as he battled to an eight-over 78 and a 54-hole total of eight-over 218.

Despite today's modern equipment, space-age drivers and high-tech golf balls, the 17th had been expected to remain out of reach of the game's big hitters during this week's championship.

The 17th, the signature hole on a classic American course renowned for its length, is 20 yards longer than it was in 1993.

World number one Tiger Woods and defending champion Vijay Singh, both known for their power hitting, failed to match Daly's achievement when attempting to hit the 17th green in two earlier this week.

At the 1967 U.S. Open, American Billy Farrell managed to reach the 17th green in two shots when the hole played to a shorter yardage.

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