HOUSTON — Glenn Wilson Jr. keeps his drives long — and his focus longer.

The Houston native has become one of the best in the world at hitting golf balls extraordinary distances — sometimes nearly five football fields — in the growing sport of long-drive competition.

“Obviously, the first thing that always goes through your mind when you step on a tee and you’re trying to hit one 400-plus yards is, ‘I really hope this goes straight,’” Wilson said. “It’s always there, whether you’re playing golf or you’re at a long-drive event — hitting it straight is key.”

Wilson’s unlikely journey began after a friend entered him into a local qualifier for the World Long Drive competition — without telling him.

“He said, ‘Hey, there’s a local qualifier coming to town for World Long Drive, and I signed

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