Former Detroit Titan David Byrne advances on first episode of Big Break

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Former Titan David Byrne cruised through the first set of challenges as the 2010 Horizon League Player of the Year aced the driving competition on the first episode of the Golf Channel's Reality television show, Big Break Indian Wells.

Fans who missed the first episode can catch the reruns on the Golf Channel. Episode one will air twice on Tuesday, May 17 (5 p.m., & 10 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 18 (11:30 a.m., & 8 p.m.), as well as three times next Monday, May 23 (2 a.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.). Episode two will air next Monday at 9:00 p.m. For a full Big Break television schedule, click here.

The 11 competitors started the show by coming together and opening a safe that contained their prize money as each golfer started with a $5,000 bank roll. The idea is for the competitors to win each other's money as a contestant is eliminated every week.

The first challenge was designed to increase the player's purse as well as set up challenge No. 2. Flags with cash amounts ranging from $50- $600 were placed on a fairway and the players had to place their name next to the amount they wanted to risk to hit their shot on the green. The players were selected randomly and Byrne's name was picked last giving him the remaining flag for $50 and he calmly hit his ball on the green to move to $5,050.

It set up the second challenge as the five players with the least money had to select to play against one of the five players with the higher amounts in a driving competition. With 11 competitors, the player not picked advanced to episode two.

The second event of the show - called the Immunity Challenge – showcased a driving competition that challenged the players to not only hit the ball far, but also with accuracy with a white line as a guide was on the fairway. The players then had their driving distance measured and the distance away from the white line was subtracted to net the player's challenge number. Byrne took on Russell Normandin – a U.S. Marine – and both golfers hit good drives securing their spot in the second episode and avoiding having to play in the elimination challenge.

The Big Break is a 10-episode series that was shot at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, CA. It will feature the 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.

Courtesy of P.J. Gradowski, Detroit Sports Information