Mertsch Rises to Lead as DGPT - MVP Open at Maple Hill Endures Delays and Drama

The 2023 DGPT - MVP Open at Maple Hill had all the makings of an epic battle: challenging holes, talented players, and unpredictable weather conditions. The first round got underway despite a 100% chance of precipitation and severe thunderstorms forecasted for the day. But as the players and spectators navigated the familiar grounds, Mother Nature had other plans.

Just as the final foursome finished their opening baskets and moved to the tee box on hole two, an airhorn pierced through the pines, signaling a heavy downpour. The rain was relentless, raising concerns about course conditions and player safety. Tee pads and fairways were in danger of becoming waterlogged, potentially rendering them unplayable.

In response to these challenges, the PDGA Operations and Logistics Team met with Disc Golf Pro Tour leadership to discuss contingency plans. Their top priority was ensuring safety on the course, followed closely by maintaining competition integrity. Given the circumstances, a decision was made to cancel the MPO field's first round due to time constraints. The FPO field, however, would resume their opening rounds once the course was deemed playable.

Under less-hostile skies, play resumed at 2:45 p.m. local time. The players approached their shots with caution, mindful of the still-present rain and chill in the Massachusetts air. As the showers gradually subsided, the clouds parted to reveal a glimpse of sunshine.

Among those who took advantage of the respite was Eveliina Salonen, who relied on birdies to post an even-par round. Meanwhile, Kat Mertsch made a late surge to claim the lead, tallying no bogeys through her last 12 holes and securing two crucial birdies on the 17th and 18th.

As the FPO field navigated the challenging course conditions, other players like Sarah Hokom, Valerie Mandujano, Madison Walker, Ella Hansen, and Paige Pierce produced strong scores to pace the field. Missy Gannon and Kristin Tattar joined Salonen and Mertsch with par-or-better opening rounds.

With no cut before Sunday's final round, all players will compete through the weekend. The top 30 in the MPO tour standings will secure their spot in the DGPT Tour Championship, while the next six eligible players will battle for the remaining two slots. In the FPO field, the top 14 players in the tour standings will earn a spot in the championship, with the next six vying for the final two spots.

As the drama unfolds at Maple Hill, one thing is certain: Sunday's finale promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to this event.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/delayed-due-weather