Lizotte Looks to Defend Portland Open Title as Disc Golf Pro Tour Returns to Oregon

The Disc Golf Pro Tour is returning to Oregon for the 13th stop on its schedule, the 2023 Portland Open Presented by Latitude 64. This year's event marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first-ever Elite+ Event in the tour's history. The new designation brings higher purses, increased media focus, and 150% points awarded, mirroring the rewards given to PDGA Majors and DGPT playoff events.

Simon Lizotte will be looking to defend his title from last year's event, where he came out on top after a thrilling finish. In 2022, Lizotte edged out Garrett Gurthie by a single stroke on the final hole, securing back-to-back Elite Series wins for himself. This year, with more money and tour points on the line, the competition is expected to be fiercer than ever.

The Portland Open has come a long way since its inception in 2019 by Disc Golf Pro Tour CEO Jeff Spring. Originally held at Blue Lake Course, the event moved to Glendoveer Golf Course in 2021 due to logistical reasons. Last year's tournament saw pros competing on both the West and East courses at Glendover, with a new course designed specifically for rounds three and four.

This year, the entire event will take place at Glendoveer, with rounds one and two played on the West Course, and rounds three and four taking place on the East Course. The West Course has undergone significant changes since its debut in 2021, now measuring 10,692 feet for the MPO field and 9,991 feet for FPO. In contrast, the East Course has seen minimal changes, boasting a length of 11,245 feet for MPO and 9,195 feet for FPO.

Valerie Mandujano dominated last year's event, going wire-to-wire to secure her second Elite Series win. The reigning champion will be looking to repeat her performance in the upcoming tournament.

The Disc Golf Network (DGN) will be providing live coverage of the event, featuring a mix of post-produced content and exclusive shows. Fans can also catch the action on the DGPT YouTube channel for free during the first round on Thursday, June 1.

Thursday's schedule is packed with exciting matchups, including:

* The FPO Feature Card, which starts at 12 p.m. ET and features Ohn Scoggins, Kristin Tattar, Ella Hansen, and Paige Pierce

* The MPO Feature Card, starting at 5:30 p.m. ET and featuring Simon Lizotte, Linus Carlsson, Cole Redalen, and Calvin Heimburg

Fans can catch all the action on the DGN or by following the live broadcast on the DGPT YouTube channel for the first round only.

In addition to the live coverage, fans can expect daily recap articles from PDGA.com, providing a detailed account of each day's events. Social media enthusiasts can stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates from the tour by following the official accounts of the Disc Golf Pro Tour and PDGA.

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