Kansas City Wide Open: Rico Dominates with Record-Breaking Win

The 2023 Kansas City Wide Open got off to a soggy start, but once the sun came out on Friday, Steve Rico's game was in full swing. The California native shot a blistering 47 at Water Works, taking an early lead that he would hold onto for the rest of the weekend.

Rico's dominance was never truly threatened, despite some close calls from fellow competitors. On Sunday, Steve Brinster applied pressure with a series of impressive shots, but Rico remained focused and composed, carding crucial birdies to maintain his lead.

The turning point came on hole 6 at Water Works, where Brinster's precision upshot left him with a makeable putt for par. Meanwhile, Rico struggled with the slope of the green, rolling long on his putt and missing the comebacker. However, Rico quickly regained momentum, carding two birdies to take back control.

As the tournament reached its climax, Brinster continued to push Rico, but ultimately fell just one stroke short. Cale and local favorite Kevin Babbit also impressed with their play, showcasing their skills on the challenging Kansas City courses.

In the women's division, Des Reading returned to Kansas City in style, winning her first title in five years by a comfortable margin of 5 strokes over Angela Tschiggfrie. This victory capped off an impressive Midwestern swing for Reading, who had previously won in Tulsa and placed second in Des Moines and Minnesota.

Local player Brian Guthrie also made his mark on the tournament, claiming his first PDGA victory of the year with a convincing win over Jim Haagen and Downtown Randall Brown. On the Masters side, Leroy Jenkins took home the top prize by shooting 3 strokes better than Daryl Johnson, while Peter Shive continued to demonstrate his dominance in the Kansas City courses.

The final round at Water Works was marked by some thrilling moments, including Brinster's impressive upshot and Rico's clutch birdies. Despite a few setbacks, Rico emerged victorious, displaying the class and dignity that champions are known for.

As the tournament drew to a close, the action on the course only added to the excitement of the event. The Kansas City Wide Open may not have crowned a new champion with their first NT victory, but it did bring in some top talent from around the world, including Arturo Villarreal and David Hemmeline.

As the players packed up their bags and headed home, fans were left eagerly anticipating next year's tournament. With its unique blend of challenging courses, talented competitors, and electric atmosphere, the Kansas City Wide Open is sure to remain a highlight of the disc golf calendar for years to come.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/amidst-the-rain-rico-brings-in-sunshine-from-california