PDGA Directors Poll: Week 2
PDGA Directors Poll: Week 2
There's a new number one in the rankings!
Who's the mystery man who has claimed the top spot in the poll? Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
Two elite series events are in the books, and there has already been a major shakeup in the Directors Poll.
After finishing tied for fifth place at the Las Vegas Challenge and winning the Memorial Championship, Simon Lizotte has unseated the top two ranked players in the world by garnering 40 percent of the available first-place votes. But don't let that fool you about the rest of the poll: This decision from the 20 tournament directors and state coordinators who chimed in this week looks to be a recognition not just of short-term performance, but also a long-running history of Lizotte being on the cusp of the number one spot. If that weren't the case, we'd see Eagle McMahon, who has gone one-two to start the season but has not yet proven to be a perennial threat to the top dogs, making a move up the board. Instead, McMahon only snagged 10 percent of the vote.
Other observations on this week's results:
- Directors rewarded Paul Ulibarri for playing through the pain of a cracked rib on the way to a 20th place tie at the Memorial.
- James Conrad's final round lead card showing boosted his standing.
- Chris Dickerson has done nothing but win this season, but it looks as if the tier of the victories might be working against him.
- Paige Pierce continues her dominant hold on the top Open Women's slot with another unanimous top showing.
- Just as Jessica Weese and Lisa Fajkus battle on the course, they also battle in the rankings.
The poll will take a snooze for the week, but we'll be back the Friday after the Waco Annual Charity Open with a new batch!
Open
Simon Lizotte's hot start to 2018 finds him being rewarded with the number one spot in the Open division. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
| Rank | Player | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simon Lizotte | 3 | ↑ 2 |
| 2 | Ricky Wysocki | 1 | ↓ 1 |
| 3 | Paul McBeth | 2 | ↓ 1 |
| 4 | Eagle McMahon | 4 | - |
| 5 | Nate Sexton | 5 | - |
| 6 | James Conrad | 9 | ↑ 3 |
| 7 | Nikko Locastro | 7 | - |
| 8 | Jeremy Koling | 8 | - |
| 9 | Philo Brathwaite | 10 | ↑ 1 |
| 10 | Nate Doss | 6 | ↓ 4 |
| 11 | Paul Ulibarri | 12 | ↑ 1 |
| 12 | Drew Gibson | 15 | ↑ 3 |
| 13 | Cale Leiviska | 14 | ↓ 1 |
| 14 | Chris Dickerson | 11 | ↓ 3 |
| 15 | Josh Anthon | 13 | ↓ 2 |
| 16 | Seppo Paju | New | - |
| 17 | Gregg Barsby | 17 | - |
| 18 | Michael Johansen | 16 | ↓ 2 |
| 19 | Devan Owens | 19 | - |
| 20 | Austin Turner | 18 | ↓ 2 |
Open Women
Lisa Fajkus jumped up two spots in the rankings after tying for second place at the Memorial Championship. Photo: Alyssa Van Lanen
| Rank | Player | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paige Pierce | 1 | - |
| 2 | Catrina Allen | 2 | - |
| 3 | Sarah Hokom | 3 | - |
| 4 | Jessica Weese | 5 | ↑ 1 |
| 5 | Lisa Fajkus | 7 | ↑ 2 |
| 6 | Jennifer Allen | 6 | - |
| 7 | Valarie Jenkins | 4 | ↓ 3 |
| 8 | Madison Walker | New | - |
| 9 | Kona Panis | 10 | ↑ 1 |
| 10 | Melody Waibel | 8 | ↓ 2 |
Comments
Why wouldn't Eagle be at
Why wouldn't Eagle be at least second if anything in the rankings? He's won 1st and 2nd in the last two major tournaments.