It's not yet an Olympic sport – although nothing it seems can ever be ruled out these days – but Britain has a new world record holder at SpeedGolf. Strictly speaking, that is a new Guinness World Record holder for the fastest ever nine holes of golf completed in 20:12.47 by Luke Willett, a 39-year-old pro golfer who works at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club in Ascot, Berkshire.

Luke's remarkable combination of golfing expertise and running speed and stamina was put to the ultimate test on Sunday 12 November on the 2,709-yard Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, prior to the DP World Golf Tour Championship event. This was an official Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt and was duly recorded and ratified by GWR.

Luke – AKA the Iron Golfer – is the reigning British SpeedGolf champion and no stranger to similar tests of endurance and skill. Last year he successfully completed a 'Marathons of Golf' challenge by playing speed rounds at all 14 courses to have staged the British Open, in addition to running a marathon in each of the respective towns, raising funds for the Golf Foundation. His best card was achieved at Muirfield in Scotland where he completed 18 holes in 42 minutes, taking just 78 shots!

Conditions in Dubai were less than optimal with temperatures rising to 34C but Luke flew round the course in nine over par, using just a 3-wood, 6-iron and a pitching wedge, which he carried in a bespoke mini bag for comfort while running the 2,477m in a time that many of us would be happy to record without having to simultaneously play golf to the highest standard!

You can enjoy highlights of Luke's world record in this YouTube film courtesy of event supporters DP World...

“I am absolutely thrilled to have set this Guinness World Record for the fastest nine-hole round of golf,” said an exhausted Luke following the challenge “It’s an incredible feeling to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport, and I’m grateful for the opportunity provided by DP World.”

Danny van Otterdijk, DP World’s Group Chief Communications Officer, said: “Luke’s remarkable speed and skill are truly commendable and we are delighted to have been a part of this historic moment. We congratulate him on this extraordinary feat, especially considering the course and the temperature, and look forward to witnessing more milestones in his impressive speed golf career.”

According to Guinness World Records the fastest 18-hole round of golf by an individual is 27 minutes and 9 seconds by James Carvill at a course which measured 6,154 yards at Warrenpoint Golf Course in Northern Ireland in 1987. Surely the next target for the Iron Golfer?

Photo and video courtesy DP World Logistics and Guinness World Records