Paige Pierce, Ohn Scoggins, Ella Hansen and Emily Seaside are tied on the high of FPO after spherical 1. Photograph: DGPT
The FPO and MPO fields hit the bottom working in Spherical 1 of the 2023 OTB Open with a four-person tie within the FPO area and 1st place within the MPO area sitting on a one-stroke lead. Regardless of the recent scores on the high of the leaderboard, Swenson Park performed over par for each fields with each participant within the FPO area taking a minimum of one bogey. Whereas the FPO area noticed the return of final 12 months’s champ, the MPO area noticed the continued momentum of a current champ.
Tied on the Prime in FPO
In a 12 months crammed with tight leaderboards, the FPO area outdid themselves with 4 gamers tied for first on the finish of Spherical 1 on the 2023 OTB Open. Based on StatMando, this is essentially the most gamers tied for the lead after any FPO Main or Elite spherical since a six-person tie on the 2019 Memorial Championship. Paige Pierce, Ohn Scoggins, Emily Seaside, and Ella Hansen will go into Shifting Day tied for first at seven strokes below par.
Pierce, the defending OTB Champion, had a sluggish begin to her spherical however went on to birdie holes 15 by 18 to catch as much as the recent spherical set by Seaside earlier within the day. Pierce is the one FPO participant to win the OTB Open since its begin in 2021 however there was some hypothesis as as to if or not she would be capable to compete this weekend. After the PDGA Champions Cup, Pierce skipped the Jonesboro Open to concentrate on working by an damage.
When requested about her present situation, Pierce described it as, “Zero ache. I feel it’s truly much less seemingly that I’d really feel it within the match spherical than in apply as a result of I’m throwing a number of photographs per gap in apply.”
The opening spherical noticed a return to type for Pierce, who scored eight birdies and just one bogey, with a formidable 6.11 photographs gained tee to inexperienced in accordance with UDisc.
“I really feel good, however I do suppose I can shoot hotter,” Pierce stated after the opening spherical, “I’m excited to present it one other crack tomorrow.”
Scoggins is not any stranger to the highest of the leaderboard with a number of high ten finishes up to now in 2023 and having gained the 2023 Santa Cruz Masters Cup final weekend. Particularly, Scoggins feels that the course updates have labored in her favor.
“I simply really feel just like the course was modified in an excellent manner for all of us and quite a lot of holes are good for my sidearm,” Scoggins stated after sharing the recent spherical, “I play good.”
Scoggins will share the Spherical 2 lead card with three distance throwers however isn’t recognized for distance herself. As a substitute, Scoggins depends on a unique skillset that encompasses a highly effective sidearm and aggressive placing (together with two circle 2 makes in Spherical 1).
Hansen and Seaside are every looking for their first Elite Sequence win, with Hansen inserting 4th and Seaside inserting eleventh on the 2022 OTB Open. Hansen has extra expertise on the lead card, taking 2nd place earlier within the season on the 2023 Waco Annual Charity Open.
We’ll see if any FPO gamers can draw back from the pack or if there shall be yet one more tie after Spherical 2 of the 2023 OTB Open.
The Rise of Robinson
Isaac Robinson carries a slim lead after spherical 1 of the 2023 OTB Open. Photograph: DGPT
By this level within the 2023 season, the phrase “logjam on the high of the leaderboard” may describe practically each spherical for the MPO area at an Elite Sequence occasion. To this point this season, the biggest margin of victory at an Elite Sequence occasion is Calvin Heimburg’s win by three strokes within the Jonesboro Open. A one-stroke lead won’t really feel like a lot, however shedding a single stroke may drop a participant down six or seven locations. After Spherical 1, Isaac Robinson at present leads the match at 10 strokes below par whereas Gannon Buhr, Cole Redalen, and Chandler Kramer are tied for 2nd place at 9-under.
Robinson is on a scorching streak, having gained the PDGA Champions Cup with a cushty 5 stroke lead and tying for 2nd place on the Jonesboro Open.
When requested about his current string of success, Robinson stated, “My sport feels actually good. I really feel like I can have a look at a spot and I can put the disc just about precisely the place I would like it. I’m simply feeling within the zone, I’m able to assault these programs.”
Robinson’s plan of assault labored within the opening spherical, scoring 10 birdies and avoiding taking a single bogey. Whereas Robinson missed just a few putts contained in the circle, he made up for it by making all three of his circle two putts.
Based on StatMando, that is Robinson’s third scorching spherical throughout the final three tour stops. No different MPO participant has multiple.
After successful his first Elite Sequence occasion at Idlewild in 2022 and successful his first Main at WR Jackson weeks in the past, Robinson is understood for scoring properly on woods programs. After taking the lead at Swenson Park’s ball golf course, Robinson is seeking to change that picture.
“I’m generally known as a woods participant and it’s nice to be recognized that manner, however I additionally wish to break that and simply be generally known as a very good all-around participant,” Robinson stated after Spherical 1, “Popping out right here, attacking these open programs, these longer programs, I’m wanting ahead to it.”
Buhr was additionally capable of rating 10 birdies however took a bogey on Gap 4, counting on his 100% C1X placing to maintain him within the combine. Buhr has gained an Elite Sequence and Silver Sequence occasion up to now this season. Each Redalen and Kramer scored 9 birdies and stayed bogey-free to earn their spot on the Spherical 2 lead card. This shall be Kramer’s first look on the lead card at an Elite Sequence occasion.
With such a tough course and little or no rating separation, the MPO area is certain to see loads of gamers clawing their manner up the leaderboard on Shifting Day of the 2023 OTB Open introduced by MVP Disc Sports activities.
Reside protection of spherical 2 kicks off at 12pm Japanese / 9am Pacific on the Disc Golf Network.
