Teeing off with determination, Ezihie played through day and night at a course in Long Island, enduring fatigue and fluctuating weather conditions.
Ezihie, originally from Nigeria, initially set out to play golf for 24 hours to set a Guinness World Record. However, midway through his challenge, he learned from his sister — who found it online — that British golfer Isaac Rowlands had recently completed a 32-hour session in Norway.
Undeterred, Ezihie extended his own effort and pushed through to finish 36 consecutive hours of golf on Tuesday.
Supported by friends, flashlights, and glow-in-the-dark golf balls, the 27-year-old teed off at the Huntington Crescent Club around 6:30 p.m. Sunday and sank his final putt just after 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He played the 18-hole course seven times, totaling 126 holes. As he awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records, Ezihie’s determination and resilience have already earned widespread admiration.
“I feel proud to be able to say I am a world champion,” he said. “This is an opportunity that not many people have. It’s definitely something I will definitely be telling my kids and my grandkids moving forward in the future.”
Throughout the marathon, Ezihie’s friends recorded video of the entire attempt, while others served as official witnesses to meet Guinness World Records’ verification requirements.
According to Kylie Galloway, a spokesperson for Guinness World Records, it typically takes 12 to 15 weeks for the organization’s specialists to review all submitted evidence and confirm a record, reported AP.
Ezihie, an assistant manager at an organization that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, said he wanted to set the record to promote diversity in golf.
“People assume that golf is for the wealthy and I’m trying to change that,” Ezihie told CBS New York. “The goal is to let people know that golf is a game for everybody. Whatever your economic background or somebody with special needs, you can play the game of golf.”
Ezihie has also bought land in his native place Nigeria to build a golf center.
“I believe Nigeria has a lot of talented kids that aren’t able to show their talent,” Ezihie added.
