Finley Dominates at Idlewild Open, Pierce and Hokom Trail Behind

The highly anticipated 2020 DGPT Idlewild Open kicked off in Burlington, Kentucky, with Holly Finley setting a commanding pace from the start. The talented player showcased her skills on the challenging wooded course, posting an impressive 71% fairway hit rate and only one OB stroke throughout the round. Finley's mastery of technical wooded courses has earned her a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, and she was thrilled to perform well at her favorite tour stop.

Finley's exceptional putting skills were on full display as she sank putts from C1x and even cashed-in some daring C2 shots. The highlight of her day came when she converted an obstructed 38-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 hole 17, a moment that gave her goosebumps. Finley's composure under pressure is a testament to her experience and skill level.

When asked about her approach to the rest of the tournament, Finley emphasized the importance of staying true to her own game plan and not getting caught up in what others are doing. "I'm just going to remember that I have my own style, my own game plan," she said. "I'm not going to worry about what anyone else is doing. I'm just going to stick to what I know I'm good at."

Meanwhile, PDGA world number one Paige Pierce had a promising start but faltered on the 13th hole with three OB strokes and a quadruple bogey. Despite this setback, she remains within striking distance of Finley and will look to bounce back in the next rounds.

In the men's division, Eagle McMahon continued his strong form from the DGLO, carding an impressive 11-under-par after 17 holes before suffering a disappointing double-bogey on the final hole. Paul McBeth, however, matched McMahon's birdie percentage and will begin round two just one shot behind. The legendary player is aiming for his second DGPT elite series tour victory of the season.

Other notable performers in the men's division include Jeremy Koling, a former USDGC champion, and Patrick Brown, an impressive Grandmaster-aged player who has been making waves with his consistency. "The game's not a thing of ages," Brown said after his round. "It's all about just spinning the disc."

As the tournament heads into its second day, fans can expect more thrilling action from Finley, Pierce, and Hokom as they battle for dominance in the women's division. On the men's side, McMahon, McBeth, Koling, and Brown will be vying for top honors in a highly competitive field. Live coverage of round two begins Saturday at 11:35am ET on the Disc Golf Network.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/finley-sprints-5-throw-lead-mcmahon-picks-where-he-left