McBeth Takes Solo Lead After Two Rounds in Pittsburgh

The second round of the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Open has come to a close, and reigning champion Ricky Wysocki is no longer in contention for first place. Paul McBeth's consistent play earned him another 12-under par 54, putting him firmly in the lead with a total score of 24-under par 108 through two rounds.

McBeth attributed his success to his experience playing at Moraine State Park, which he described as a "fair wooded course" that suits his style. He noted that even if he throws a bad shot, he can still scramble out and save a par or get a birdie by throwing a good shot. McBeth's confidence on the course is evident in his comments: "I think it's just a course you can be aggressive on... I feel really comfortable out here."

However, Geoff Bennett is not one to back down from a challenge. The 36-year-old pro matched McBeth's score and took over second place with James Conrad, who has been riding a hot streak since mid-July. Bennett's consistent performance was highlighted by his use of forehand rollers on certain holes, which he credited with gaining him an extra stroke.

Bennett's motivation to perform well at the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Open is personal. With this being the end of his summer touring schedule and the start of a quieter period, a win would be a welcome boost to his career. He acknowledged that he has had close calls in the past but has yet to secure a PDGA National Tour victory.

"I've been in this situation before and not gotten through, so I just want to play the best I can," Bennett said. "If it happens where I have the lowest score, then that'd be life-changing for me." Bennett's words reflect his determination to succeed at Moraine State Park, where he has spent over a decade honing his skills.

James Conrad, who carded a 1058-rated round yesterday, echoed Bennett's sentiments on being in contention. He praised his consistent play and noted that he has yet to card a bogey in the tournament so far. "I think I only missed probably off one teebox," Conrad said, highlighting his focus and accuracy.

The rest of the top five remains tight, with Michael Johansen in fourth place and Simon Lizotte, Ricky Wysocki, and Chris Dickerson rounding out the group. While Charlie Goodpasture's drop to eighth place has given others an opportunity to move up the leaderboard, McBeth remains confident that he can maintain his lead.

"I think it's just a course you can be aggressive on," McBeth repeated. "I feel really comfortable out here, and I'm just gonna play it the same way." With only one more round left at Moraine State Park, the competition is heating up as players jockey for position in the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Open.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/pfdo/2017/round-2-recap