Anthony Barela Rides Rollercoaster to Third DGPT Elite Series Win
Date Published

The final round of the 2024 Jonesboro Open DGPT Elite Series event was a wild ride for Anthony Barela. After entering the day tied atop the leaderboard with Isaac Robinson, Barela's chances seemed to slip away as he missed several crucial putts and bogeyed holes. He started the day strong, but his confidence wavered as the round wore on.
In contrast, the leaderboard was a closely packed battlefield among six players within two strokes of the lead. Ezra Aderhold, Ben Callaway, and Calvin Heimburg were among those vying for the top spot, with each player contributing to an intense battle that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
As Barela's struggles continued, he hit rock bottom after 12 holes, feeling like his chances of contention were slipping away. However, he refused to give up and spotted a glimmer of hope on the par-5 hole. With a daring 60-foot eagle bid, Barela sparked a momentum shift that propelled him back into contention.
Meanwhile, Ben Callaway had taken a two-stroke lead but squandered it with a missed birdie attempt on Hole 15. He arrived at the final hole with a one-shot advantage but stumbled after hanging his tee shot right and failing to recover. The bogey cost him valuable strokes, handing Barela an opportunity to seize the win.
The stage was set for a thrilling conclusion as Barela and Calvin Heimburg found themselves tied for the lead on the final hole. Barela's drive narrowly cleared the fairway, while Heimburg's attempt faltered. In the end, Anthony Barela emerged victorious, securing his third DGPT Elite Series title of the season.
Reflecting on his remarkable comeback, Barela credited a newfound confidence and determination that has defined his 2024 season. "Ever since Chess Dot Com," he said with conviction, "it's been a new me." With this win, Barela solidifies his position as one of the top players in the series, and fans can't wait to see what the future holds for him.
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/barela-storms-back-raucous-finale-third-dgpt-win-2024