Bobby Ray is an Internet Invitational champion. The long driver won the 2026 title with Fat Perez and Riggs, closing out Team Big John on the 15th hole of the final at Payne’s Valley.
Each member of the winning team earned $1.33 million from the $4 million purse. Ray, Fat Perez and Riggs are the second team to win the event.
Who Is Bobby Ray?
Bobby Ray, known as “Long Way” Bobby Ray, is a professional long driver from St. Louis. He played college golf at the University of Tampa.
Ray carries a +1.0 Handicap Index. His official profile lists a longest competition drive of 450 yards.
From Paradise Hotel to Long Drive
Ray won the 2019 revival of Fox’s Paradise Hotel, hosted by Kristin Cavallari, alongside fellow contestant Tatum. He quit his job to go on the show, per World Long Drive.
After the show, Ray landed commercials and other appearances before turning to long drive. He placed 12th in his first World Long Drive event in 2022 and hit drives over 400 yards in his first season.
He climbed to 18th in the world rankings, with three top-five finishes in his first two years on tour.
How Far Does Bobby Ray Hit It?
Ray is 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, with a clubhead speed of 153 mph, according to a profile by KSDK in St. Louis. He told the station he has been kicked out of driving ranges at Bellerive, Norwood Hills and Algonquin.
“Finding a driving range is the toughest part of my job,” Ray said. “I am like Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite, I get to say I hit a golf ball a quarter mile.”
Bobby Ray at the Internet Invitational
On Day 1, Team White tried to use the “Gruden Rule,” a committee veto on matchups seen as deliberately thrown, on Ray and Jon Gruden’s pairing against Frankie Borrelli and Francis Ellis. The match stood.
Riggs later recalled Ray’s reaction on the Fore Play podcast: “You are saying I suck,” via EssentiallySports. “So, I did feel terrible, and Frankie picked up on that immediately,” Riggs said.
Ray bounced back in Episode 3. He drove or nearly drove several greens as he and The Duke beat Cheddy and Kyle Forgeard 3 and 2, and The Duke’s birdie on the par-3 9th was worth $25,000 to each of them.
RELATED: Internet Invitational Episode 5 Results: Paige, Horvat Eliminated
How Bobby Ray Won the Internet Invitational
Ray, Fat Perez and Riggs won the Day 3 semifinal at 2 over in Episode 5 to reach the final. The finale was 18 holes of alternate-shot match play at Payne’s Valley.
Team FP beat Big John, Ryan Whitney and Salim, closing out the match on the 15th hole. Brad Dalke, Francis Ellis and Cody “Beef” Franke won the first Internet Invitational in 2025.
