He came up against Argentinian Ricardo Gonzalez, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castańo and Italian Emanuele Canonica, but he failed to repeat his form of eight months ago.

The longest drive of the day came from Fernandez-Castano, 25, from Madrid, who succeeded in sending the ball 516 metres down the Majorcan runway.

Officials from the London Golf Show ý which returns to ExCeL-London from April 27-30 2006 ý were asked to help organise the event by promoter Matchgolf, which was hosting the attempt as a promotion for the upcoming Majorca Open.

The London Golf Show marketing director, Andy Barwell, explained: "We were asked to help out as we had the experience in sorting out the range-finders and markers at the attempt at London City Airport in February ý and we were delighted to assist."

Barwell and project director Jay Tyson travelled to Palma with 'their man' Paul Slater, whose achievement on a cold winter's day in Londonýs Docklands was put into even clearer perspective after the Spanish attempt.

Barwell added: "It just goes to show what a prodigious effort Paul's was in February. The runway in Palma was downhill and there was a slight tailwind.

"It was warmer and the runway was wider ý about 45 metres. So one would have anticipated that it would have been an ideal opportunity for the bar to have been raised again.

"Yet Gonzalo's effort, while still impressive, was a staggering 150 metres short of Paul's drive earlier this year."

For more information about the London Golf Show 2006, visit

www.thelondongolfshow.com