He stood on the 18th green on Sunday as the youngest USDGC winner in history and fully established that the future of the sport has arrived.
In a thrilling, dominant and absolutely clutch final round, Buhr — at 17 years old with homework to do — took down his first PDGA Pro Major and added yet another chapter to the illustrious history in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Paul McBeth is looking for his fourth USDGC title and 18th PDGA Major. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media
At a tournament full of history, no matter how Championship Sunday concludes at the 24th running of the United States Disc Golf Championship, there will be a new chapter added.
Four players, all with their own potential to make history, enter the final round at the Winthrop Arena looking to leave their mark and cement, or further solidify, their legacy.
Jake Monn finds himself with a share of the lead at the USDGC. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA
Jake Monn has the game to match his towering size.
Just a heads up: He’s 17 years old.
Monn turned heads on Friday in a day of big moves at the Winthrop Arena and is now a co-leader in his first trip to the United States Disc Golf Championship in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
“It feels really good,” Monn told Terry Miller of the Disc Golf Network after posting a 9-under round with a huge contingent of family and teammates in tow.
A rising — and young — star in Finland, Anttila, 20, arrived at the Winthrop Arena for the first time earlier this week and experienced the iconic, history-filled track for the first time.
“I’ve been watching this tournament for a while — six or seven years,” Antilla said. “Earlier this week, I was seeing all the holes that I’ve been watching for a while.
Just twelve players have won a coveted United States Disc Golf Championship title in the 23 years that the PDGA Major has been running at Winthrop University.
That's it.
Beginning Thursday and running through Sunday — one of the many changes this year — the dramatic 2022 season begins to wind down as we wait to see if there will be a repeat winner or a new PDGA Major champion crowned in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The Winthrop Arena has a long history of testing the best of the best — those who earned their spot throughout the season — while delivering dramatic and passionate finishes as well as heartbreak.
In a majority of the 19-division event, which was fueled by Visit Quad Cities and the passionate QC crew along with Iron Lion Disc Golf, the battles came down to the end.
Dutch Napier leads MP40 by three strokes. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
The cut has happened, and the final push to take down a PDGA Major title is on in the Quad Cities.
Nineteen champions will be crowned on Sunday at the 2022 PDGA Tim Selinske U.S. Masters Championships, the 12th running of the vent that honors the late pioneer and ambassador of the sport.
There are several battles that will come down to the end at Camden Park.
Ohn Scoggins is still in control in FP40. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
Ohn Scoggins is continuing her strong season this weekend at U.S. Masters. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA
Ohn Scoggins is seeing the results of her dedication this season.
All she has to do is look at the leaderboard.
No matter the tournament, Scoggins has been near the top throughout the season, whether it’s a PDGA Major, like the 2022 PDGA Tim Selinske U.S. Masters Championships this weekend, Pro Worlds or an Elite Series.
It’s easy to find Scoggins after a tournament round. She’s usually near the practice basket or back on the course, and that’s been the formula this year.
“Pretty good start,” said the Montrose, Iowa native. “I did pretty well at Worlds to start too, so hopefully I can hold it together a little better this time.”
Former champions and a few newcomers highlight the 12th running of the PDGA Major that honors the late Tim Selinske.
In MP40, Brad Schick is back to defend his title, but 2022 PDGA Masters World Champion Joe Rovere and Patrick Brown, the defending MP50 champion, join the mix. Christian Diertrich and Tyler Horne are among the highest-rated players in the field.
It started with an inspiring and breakout performance from Aaron Gossage, but also through a putt that he worked on throughout the week, a lingering injury and naysayers that suggested that he had fallen off.
Kristin Tattar raises her hands in celebration after completing the final hole of her 2022 Pro Worlds run. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media
An Appointment with Destiny
History was made Saturday at the Emporia Country Club as Kristin Tattar became the first Estonian and only the second European to win a PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship.
She also became the first mom to win this most coveted title.
Entering the tournament as the overwhelming favorite despite nursing a shoulder injury that forced her out of the European Open just six weeks prior, Tattar seemed utterly unfazed by all the pressure and sky-high expectations.
Gossage — the underdog, the Cinderella Story, the improbable, whatever you want to call it — has strung together four consistent rounds of ice-cold disc golf to enter the final lap through the Emporia Country Club with a three-stroke lead with his first PDGA Major and largest career win by far squarely in his sights.
As it’s been from the start in Emporia, Kansas, the field is tight, and the pressure is mounting with just two rounds left before a PDGA World Champion is crowned.
Henna Blomroos has never held a lead in a Major or Elite series event before this week. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media
Transatlantic Battle
You could be forgiven for thinking that we are watching a preview of the next Presidents Cup.
With three European players atop the FPO leaderboard and a pack of American players close on their heels, 2022 Pro Worlds—at least on the women’s side—has been putting on a distinctly transatlantic vibe.
And the rest of the best players to play the sport are right there chasing them.
Completing a stellar feat, Colorado’s Tristan Tanner has emerged from the B Pool in Emporia, Kansas and has made the jump to the very top. His fellow statesman, Aaron Gossage, shares the title of co-leader after putting together two solid rounds to start Pro Worlds.
Catrina Allen and Paige Pierce made some of the biggest moves during Wednesday's Round 2. Photo: Justin Anderson / PDGA Media
Kristin Tattar Stays Put
After 36 holes of play, Kristin Tattar stands exactly where she did after 18 holes – on top of the FPO leaderboard with a 2-shot cushion – but the ground beneath her feet may have shifted.
The Estonian star, who many saw as the favorite coming into the tournament, picked up right where she left off on Wednesday, cashing putts from seemingly everywhere and stringing together birdies like an Edison power line.
