Playoffs Raise the Competition
The first tournament of the DGPT playoffs brought out the most exciting disc golf we’ve seen all season. Last weekend’s DGLO was a whirlwind of smoking-hot rounds and highlight throw-ins. Team Innova’s Ohn Scoggins took down the first Elite Event of her career in commanding fashion. Calvin Heimburg had the hottest stretch of holes we’ve seen all year, going seven down through five and taking the only two eagles of the event. Kat Mertsch had her fifth podium of the season. And three more Innova FPO athletes landed in the top 10.
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Hard Work Pays Off
Photo by DGPT
Ohn Scoggins won the first Elite Event of her career at last weekend’s DGLO after 14 straight Elite and Major podiums without a win. From a few holes into the first round through her final putt on 18, Ohn was in control of this event. She went wire-to-wire, shooting three straight hot rounds at -7. Ohn went into the final day with a six stroke lead which she held comfortably until last few holes. Though her margin of victory was only two strokes, there was never a moment of doubt that this was Ohn’s weekend. Her win probability on UDisc going into the final round was at 97% and that number never went down.
If you look at the leaderboard, Ohn’s name sits above power players known for crushing distance. That tells us two things: you don’t need to be the farthest thrower in the world to win on open courses. And Ohn has way more distance than people give her credit for. On many holes, she makes the calculated choice to land in a more easily-accessible, closer landing zone that leaves a good angle to attack the pin. Just because she plays smart golf, doesn’t mean Ohn can’t bomb when she needs to.
Scoggins played 1000-rated disc golf for the weekend, the best rating at an Elite tournament of her career. She led the field in C1x Putting, Strokes Gained Putting, and had the lowest OB rate in the FPO. She was 2nd in C2 Putting, Birdie percentage, and Scramble rate. Ohn took home the highest stroke-play payout of her career at $10,000. This was her 10th DGPT and PDGA Major podium of the season.
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Ohn Scoggins is the three-time-consecutive Masters World Champion. She hasn’t lost an event in FP40 all season. Even with those three World titles, Scoggins still considers DGLO to be the biggest victory of her career; she beat a field of 34 the best players in the world, many of whom are half her age. This win comes just a month after the biggest Silver win of her career at the 2023 Mid America Open.
Ohn is the 2nd highest rated player in the FPO behind Kristin Tattar. She seems to be in contention for almost every tournament she plays. In her last four Pro Tour events, Ohn has taken 1st, 2nd, 2nd, and 1st. She reached such an impressive level of consistency through years of hard work. Ohn plays multiple rounds nearly everyday. She putts 400-500 reps daily and rarely takes time off.
Ohn cheers for every great shot she sees, even when they come from her competitors, because she knows those shots are the product of the same grinding Ohn does day in and day out. Her final-round cardmates couldn’t help but be happy to see such a deserving, role-model of an athlete take down her first big win.
Well-Rounded Performance from Kat Mertsch
Photo by DGPT
When she is executing both off the tee and on the green, Kat Mertsch is a lock for a top finish. Last weekend, she was 4th in Strokes Gained Putting and 5th in Strokes Gained Tee to Green to earn herself a 3rd place finish. She was also 3rd in Birdie and Parked percentage. This was Kat’s fifth podium finish of the season, including an Elite win, a Silver win, and a Major podium.
FPO Athletes in Top 10
Photo by DGPT
Jennifer Allen has only finished outside the top 10 of two events all season! Last weekend in Michigan she took 6th place. She was 2nd in the field in Strokes Gained Tee to Green and Parked percentage and 3rd in C1 Hits in Regulation.
Hailey King hasn’t missed a top 10 finish in the past seven events that she’s played. She took 9th place at DGLO, finishing 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained Tee to Green and Birdie percentage.
Jessica Weese was dialed off the tee last weekend, leading the field in Parked percentage. She finished in a tie for 10th place, securing her 9th Top 10 so far this season. She currently sits in 9th place of the DGPT Points Standings.
A Dream Stretch for Vinny
Calvin Heimburg, the number one rated player in the world, put together the hottest stretch of holes we’ve seen all year. Calvin went 7 down in 5 holes with two throw-in Eagles from outside 250 feet. Those were the only two eagles of the tournament for the MPO. Clutch moments like this down the stretch are becoming regular for Calvin. Just two weeks back, he had a 425-foot ace in the final round trying to chase down the Ledgestone title.
Calvin was 2nd in the field in Fairway Hits, 2nd in C2 Hits in Regulation, 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee to Green, and 3rd in Parked percentage.
Calvin remains the number one ranked player in the world. He leads the DGPT Point Standings by nearly 200 points. Calvin is the highest ranked and among the most accomplished players in the sport yet to win a Major title. As we approach the World Championships, all eyes will be on Calvin. The five-round format and vastly varied pair of courses clearly benefits a player with Calvin’s consistency and rounded skill set. He will be the favorite at Smugglers’ Notch.
The 2023 PDGA World Championships
The PDGA World Championships are just two weeks out and Team Innova has favorites in both fields. Calvin Heimburg has proven himself the best player in the MPO this year. It seems fitting that this would be his year to earn the top honor in the sport.
Ohn Scoggins has gone 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 1st in the four events leading up to Worlds. She has a fresh memory of what it takes to beat the ever-deepening FPO field. Anyone who thinks Ohn isn’t a threat to take down this World Championships is seriously underestimating her.
The PDGA Worlds will be broadcast live on the Disc Golf Network from August 30- Sept 3. Get last minute tickets for the World Championships at Eventbright. Check Innovadiscs.com for tournament recaps, tips, and team news.
