McBeth Leads World Championships After Electric Round

Paul McBeth was on fire at Smugglers' Notch Disc Golf Center's Brewster Ridge course, carding a 12-under par round to take the lead at the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. The four-time world champion shot a bogey-free 1082-rated performance, topping the leaderboard with three days of play remaining in Vermont.

McBeth's dominant display was highlighted by an impressive 95-foot jump putt on the 10th hole, which sparked a five-birdie streak to secure his position at the top. He acknowledged that the shot gave him momentum and set the tone for the remainder of his round.

Meanwhile, James Conrad had a contrasting experience, struggling with a few tough holes despite an excellent start. The Virginia pro began the day on fire, going 9-for-9 on the front nine, but ultimately cooled off and finished with a lone bogey on the back half. He attributed his slump to familiarity with certain holes and tee pads that often give him trouble.

Conrad's cardmate, Nikko Locastro, faced significant challenges throughout the round, including several bad breaks and emotional outbursts. His performance was marked by frustration, which Conrad revealed had a noticeable impact on his own game. The veteran pro admitted to feeling distracted by Locastro's negativity and vowed to maintain a positive mindset moving forward.

Paul Ulibarri capitalized on some fortunate breaks, recording a course record 13-under par round to move into second place. He credited the success of his group, which included Barry Schultz and Josh Anthon, for helping him settle in and make crucial shots.

Gregg Barsby also made significant strides, shooting an 11-under par round to leapfrog several players on the leaderboard. He acknowledged that he's trying a new approach this week, focusing on relaxation rather than aggression, as the course has historically been a challenging one for him.

As play resumes at Fox Run Meadows, McBeth hinted that he may take a more conservative approach to navigate the course's numerous out-of-bounds areas. Ulibarri, meanwhile, remains confident in his abilities and is taking a laid-back attitude into his birthday round.

The competition will heat up as the top players battle for the title over the next three days. The Open lead card tees off at 2:30 p.m., with live coverage available via SmashboxxTV.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/2018proworlds/news/mcbeth-ulibarri-shred-brewster-pro-worlds-second-day