DGPT Returns to the States
The Pro Tour returned from Europe last weekend for the 2023 Mid America Open. The disc golf community had big smiles on their faces on Sunday watching one of the FPO’s most beloved players, Ohn Scoggins, take home the biggest DGPT victory of her career. Kat Mertsch shot the hot round on the final day to earn a position on the podium. And Holly Finley and Joel Freeman both landed in the top ten.
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Fan Favorite Finally in First
Photo by DGPT
Innova Star Team Member Ohn Scoggins had the biggest DGPT victory of her career at the 2023 Mid America Open. She mounted a seven-stroke comeback through the final two rounds to continue a streak of recent exceptional results. Ohn’s last four events include a PDGA Masters Major win, a DGPT Silver win, an A-tier win, and an Elite+ podium.
She may be the best putter in the FPO, but Ohn earned her Silver win with world-class driving every bit as much as her putting. She led the field in Fairway Hits, C2 Hits in Regulation, and Strokes Gained Tee to Green. Ohn looked confident as ever on the green as well. She was 2nd in C1x Putting and 3rd in Strokes Gained Putting.
The race between Ohn Scoggins and Alexis Mandujano in the final round was one of the tightest we’ve seen all year. They went into the round tied, but through five holes Alexis had opened up a two stroke lead. Ohn stayed within her game, not letting the pressure of being back a couple strokes force her out of her comfort zone. By hole 18, Ohn had regained a share of the lead with a bogie free, -6. Alexis took a bad tree kick on her drive, allowing Ohn to play safe to secure the victory.
“Finally!” That’s what Ohn Scoggins said and thousands of her loyal fans felt as she tapped in her last putt. No one on tour was more deserving of a big win like this one than Ohn. She is one of the hardest-working, most-talented, and most-beloved FPO players, always on the podium, but never quite in the top spot at the biggest DGPT stages. Though Ohn won another Silver event back in 2020, the strength of the field at the Mid America Open makes this victory feel like her breakthrough tour moment. Now that she has seen herself do it, hopefully this starts a new era of Ohn in the number one spot.
Winning an Elite Event is the obvious next goal for a player who has already accomplished so much. Out of 174 career starts, Ohn has 86 wins. Her podium rate is 71%. She hasn’t missed cash since 2020. She is the three-time-consecutive and reigning Masters World Champion. Ohn is coming off three straight wins as we head into Ledgestone. Let’s keep the win streak alive at the second Elite+ Event of the year.
Photo by DGPT
Hot Final Round for Kat Mertsch
Photo by DGPT
Though Kat Mertsch stayed in the States during the European tour stretch, she was clearly keeping the rust off. She took 3rd place at the 2023 Mid America Open. This was Kat’s 11th top ten finish at DGPT events and PDGA Majors so far this year including an Elite win, a Silver win, and a Major podium.
She shot the hot round on the final day at -8 with ten birdies on the day. She led the field in C1 Hits in Regulation, was 2nd in Strokes Gained Tee to Green, and 2nd in Parked percentage. Kat is in 6th place in the DGPT point standings, reflecting the super consistent season she has been putting together.
Holly Finley Makes Top Ten
Photo by DGPT
Team Innova’s Holly Finley has been having an excellent season as well. Her 7th place finish last weekend in Missouri makes for three DGPT top tens and two PDGA Masters Majors podiums in 2023. Her strong result at the Mid America Open came from staying in the fairway, avoiding OB strokes, and scrambling when she found trouble. She was 3rd in Scrambling and had the 3rd lowest OB rate in the FPO for the weekend.
Freeman Returns to Tour Looking Dialed
Joel Freeman returned from over a month away from touring to have his best DGPT finish of the season. He took 7th place, but that placement undersells how well Joel played all weekend. An unfortunate triple bogey on the final hole of the tournament is all that kept him off the podium. Joel had an impressive 50% birdie rate for the event. He currently sits in a qualifying position for the DGPT Tour Championships.
2023 Season Heats Up
We are about to enter the most important stretch of the disc golf season. The rest of the 2023 season is full of Elite+, DGPT Playoffs, and PDGA Major events. The 2023 Disc Golf World Championship is only a month away and then all eyes will turn to the USDGC. Watch the action for both MPO and FPO live on the Disc Golf Network each weekend. Visit Innovadiscs.com for tournament recaps, tips, and the latest team news.
