Fast Start Propels Byrne to Episode 9 of Big Break Indian Wells

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Showing no fear and a great all-around game, former Titan David Byrne took control of his Big Break by once again playing great when it counted as the 2010 UDM President's Award winner advanced to episode nine of the Golf Channel's Reality television show Big Break Indian Wells.

Fans who missed last night's episode – titled “A Nickel Ain't Worth A Dime Anymore" - can catch the reruns a few times this week, starting with tonight at 5 and 8 p.m., and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. For more times when the episode will air, click here for the Big Break Indian Wells website. The series airs on Monday's at 9 p.m. (EST).

The eighth episode of the series began with a major decision for Byrne. Since he was last on the money list, he had to start the show by essentially playing an elimination match-play against the player of his choice. If he won, he doubled his money, but a loss sent the former Titan star packing.

He would end up selecting Carl Whyte – who was third on the money list - and the two started their duel on the fourth hole of the Player's Course, a 431-yard par 4. Right from the start, Byrne was on fire nailing his drive right on the fairway, while Whyte's landed in a bunker. Byrne's second shot was from 145 yards away and he was able to put it on the green about 25 feet shy of the pin. After his putt for birdie was just left of the hole, Byrne finished with a par, while Whyte tallied a bogey, keeping Byrne safe for the next challenge.

The immunity challenge followed as all five players hit the course. The challenge was to accumulate points from five set locations and the players who posted the two least amounts would have to play an elimination challenge. Proving once again that the theme of the series was “It's All About The Money” the top four players on the money list each started with points (Will Lowery got four points as the money leader, Kent Eger three as he was second, Whyte two and Robbie “Shank” Biershank one), but since he was still last on the money list, Byrne started with zero.

The first location was the “Long Drive” and all the players had to do was get their ball on the fairway to get points, but it was the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year who took advantage as Byrne was the only contestant to accomplish the feat - picking up four points in the process.

The second location was the “200 Yard Approach” and the idea was to get it close to the pin. Byrne did just that placing his about 29 feet away for three more points, trailing only Eger's shot that was within 10 feet for four points.

The third obstacle was from “147 Yards Away” and again the player had to put it close to the pin. For the second-straight challenge, it was the Canadian twosome that posted points as Byrne totaled three more with his ball about 30 feet away and Eger's inside 10 feet.

Through three holes, Byrne went from last in the point challenge to second with 11 and that is where he would end up after the next two locations, picking up $3,000 in the challenge and more than $5,000 total on the day.

The eighth episode did see the elimination of one more contender as Shank lost the last challenge leaving four players left for the final two shows. Byrne is still last on the money list at $7,350, with Eger in first ($16,300), Lowery second ($16,200) and Whyte in third ($8,225).

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.