Defending Champs Return for Women's Disc Golf Championship Showdown

The shores of Lake Michigan are set to host the 26th United States Women's Disc Golf Championship (USWDGC), a highly anticipated event that brings together top female players from around the world. This year's competition promises to be just as fierce, with 16 PDGA Major champions returning to defend their titles from last year.

Among the defending champions is Missy Gannon, who won her first PDGA Major title at the 2024 USWDGC in Austin, Texas and added another victory at the PDGA Champions Cup just last month. Gannon will face stiff competition, including 77 other top players, including the top 10 ranked players in the Official Disc Golf World Rankings.

A number of defending champions have made significant moves this year, with Addison Woodard, Rebecca Don, and Shelby Cowen all advancing to the Female Pro (FPO) division. Chris O'Cleary and Sandy Gast will also be battling it out in the FP60 division, both having defended their titles from last year.

The competition will feature four days of intense action across 19 divisions, ranging from Junior 10 to Open, with over 330 players vying for victory. Defending champions in other categories include Stephanie Vincent (FP40), Juliana Korver (FP50), Lynne Gerber, Allie Lawler, Donna Stanley, Patti Adams, Eva Lutsenko, and Hayden Harper.

As the players take on the challenging courses, they will not only be competing for individual titles but also contributing to a sense of community and camaraderie that defines women's disc golf. With four rounds of exciting competition ahead, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

For those who can't be there in person, the 2025 USWDGC will be available to stream live on PDGA Live.

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