Barela and Salonen Reign Supreme at Chess.com Invitational

The Disc Golf Pro Tour has kicked off its new season in style at the 2024 Chess.com Invitational presented by Discraft. The tournament, which took place in Brooksville, Florida, saw two players emerge victorious, each securing a significant milestone in their careers.

Anthony Barela, a seasoned player with a long history in the sport, finally broke through to claim his first Elite Series title. With an impressive performance throughout the weekend, Barela demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill, particularly on the putting green. His lead grew to as many as five strokes at one point, and despite intense pressure down the stretch, he remained focused and steady.

Barela's victory was a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport. He entered the tournament with 88 major/Elite Series starts under his belt, and it took him until now to reach the top of the podium. Ricky Wysocki finished in second place, just one stroke behind Barela, while Aaron Gossage secured a well-deserved third-place finish with an impressive 8-under round on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Eveliina Salonen delivered a dominant performance, showcasing her exceptional skills across various categories. Her complete weekend display was capped off by an incredible final round, where she carded an official course-record 8-under score to secure the top spot. This triumph marked Salonen's third Elite Series victory and her first since 2020.

Salonen's impressive form continued throughout the tournament, as she averaged a remarkable 1012 rating over the weekend, her best performance since her last DGPT win in Waco back in 2020. Her final round score of 1031 (unofficial) was also her third-highest rated round of her career, with all three of her top ratings achieved since October 2023.

The rest of the field was unable to match Salonen's level of performance, with Ella Hansen finishing second and Missy Gannon and Holyn Handley sharing third place. The Disc Golf Pro Tour will resume on March 7-10 at the Waco Annual Charity Open in Texas, but for now, Barela and Salonen bask in the glory of their well-deserved victories.

The tournament's conclusion marked a thrilling end to an exciting weekend of disc golf action, with both champions demonstrating exceptional skill and sportsmanship. As the season progresses, fans can expect even more thrilling matches and memorable moments from these talented athletes.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/checkmate