Since then the New Zealander has progressively improved with each season, finishing 36th on the Order of Merit in 2021, 24th in 2022 and 19th in 2023, thanks in part to ending up 3rd at the Irish Legends as well as two sixth placed finishes at the Swiss Senior Open and the Farmfoods European Senior Masters.
He cites his long irons as being the strong aspect of his golf game but may consider himself lucky to have had a professional career after breaking his neck while surfing in 1999.
Long holds a unique collection of titles back in his homeland having won the under-18, under-21, amateur and Open Championships in New Zealand.
Played 99 times on the DP World Tour as an affiliate member and came closest to a victory in the 1997 Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia. He was challenging Ernie Els for the title when he called a penalty on himself on the final day. His ball moved a fraction on the green as he addressed it for a birdie putt. No-one else had noticed, but Long called the infraction on himself and two putted for bogey – he would end the day one shot behind Els who won, but knew he’d done the right thing: “When it happens you’ve got to be honest with yourself and own up”.