Big Break Indian Wells Website (With Bonus Videos & Photo Galleries)

DetroitTitans.com Byrne Big Break Page

Byrne's Bio Page On The Golf Channel Website

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Up against the wall in an elimination challenge against a U.S. Marine, former Titan David Byrne rose to the occasion to keep his dream of winning the Big Break alive as the fourth episode of the Golf Channel's Reality television show was aired on Monday night.

“I don't think anyone other than the other 10 players on the show know how nervous you get competing on the show, especially in an elimination challenge,” said Byrne. “I was confident in my swing, but still very nervous in that, all it takes is a bad shot or two and you are off the show. You can't really make up for a bad day or really just a few bad swings or bad breaks.”

Fans who missed last night's exciting episode can watch it a few more times this week, starting with tonight at 5 and 8 p.m. For more times when episode four will air - as well as the first three episodes - click here for the Big Break Indian Wells website. The series airs on Monday's at 9 p.m. (EST).

Byrne took on Russell Normandin – a Master Sergeant in the United States Marines and a member of the All-Marine Golf Team – in the elimination challenge which focused on accuracy. There were four locations set up and each player had to try and hit the ball within a certain distance of the pin in the fewest amount of shots. Having more money than Normandin, Byrne started with a half stroke advantage, but he decided to put up half his money to buy an extra half stroke for a full one shot advantage.

The first distance saw the golfers from a short distance as they tried to get within six feet of the pin, which Byrne did on his first shot while Normandin did it in two. With a two-stroke lead, they went to the second location, where Byrne hit two shots compared to Normandin's one to bring it back to a one stroke lead. The third challenge saw Byrne take a strangle hold in the event as he put his shot from 125 yards out within the required 24 feet, while Normandin struggled to do that taking a few shots. Once the fourth location came up, all Byrne needed to do was just get his shot from 180 yards out on the green in less than three attempts to clinch the victory and he did it on his first swing.

The episode began with Byrne third on the money list at $6,100, but after losing in the first immunity challenge – a match play hole against Oren Geri that cost him $100 – he was forced to play in the second challenge.

“Just like all of you out there, we are watching the show for the first time with all the cuts and edits they make,” said Byrne. “It is funny because even though you know the result, I am still so nervous watching myself on the show.”

That second challenge was called “Black Jack” as a grid with boxes containing numbers and face card values were placed on the fairway and the players had to hit their shots to accumulate their points, just like the card game. One catch though, the players were behind a wall and they did not know what the other player totaled. Byrne went up against Carl Whyte and luck just wasn't with the Titan in that challenge as Whyte placed his ball on the Queen square and the Ace netting 21 points. Byrne then went and after hitting the Ace square and the Five on his first two shots, he decided to go for a third placing his ball on the Four square totaling 20 points.

“Did I think Carl had 21, no way, but I knew he was going to sell whatever he had and that made me think I really needed 19 or 20 to win,” Byrne said. “I then went for a third shot to get to 20 points. He is mentally the strongest competitor on the show and I just knew he was going to really try and take me.”

With Byrne eliminating Normandin, seven players remain alive for the covenant Big Break Championship.

The Big Break is a 10-episode series that was shot at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, CA. It started with 11 contestants competing for a chance to earn as much as $55,000 in cash prizes as well as the grand prize of receiving an exemption to a 2012 PGA TOUR event, the Zurich classic of New Orleans. Other prizes for the winner include a paid trip for two back to the Indian Wells Golf Resort, an Adams golf endorsement deal, 10,000 cash, and a 10,000 Shopping spree to Dicks Sporting goods.