Paige Pierce Clinches Third Consecutive OTB Open Title, Emerson Keith Secures First Elite Series Win

The 2023 OTB Open presented by MVP Disc Sports has come to a close with Paige Pierce claiming her third consecutive title in the FPO division. The reigning champion displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, maintaining her lead from start to finish.

Pierce's performance was impressive, as she shot a hot round of 12-under par in Round 2, giving her a four-stroke lead going into the final round. Although she didn't replicate this feat in the last round, she still managed to score well enough to keep her advantage and ultimately win the tournament at 25 strokes under par.

In an interview after the final round, Pierce expressed relief at her victory, stating that today wasn't one of her best days on the course. Despite this, her putting had been strong in the previous two rounds, and she acknowledged that it could have used improvement in the last round.

Pierce's success has solidified her position as a dominant force in the FPO division. With this win, she becomes the only player to have won the OTB Open since its inception in 2021. Additionally, she joins an elite group of players who have achieved three consecutive wins at the same DGPT Elite Series event.

Meanwhile, in the MPO field, Emerson Keith emerged as the champion after a thrilling final round. Keith had a record-breaking 12-under par round in Round 2, catapulting him to the lead card on Championship Sunday. He demonstrated remarkable skill and composure while chasing down Aaron Gossage, who initially held the top spot.

Keith's mental approach played a significant role in his success. When asked about how he handled the pressure of being in contention, he revealed that he blocked everything out and focused solely on executing each shot as if he were the only one on the course.

As Keith navigated the final holes, Gossage took a double bogey on 17, allowing Keith to take the lead. Despite this, Gannon Buhr made an impressive push from the fifth card, ultimately finishing in second place after birdieing several holes and making a strong comeback attempt.

In the end, Keith sealed his victory with a confident performance on the final hole, securing his first Elite Series win. When asked about how it felt to finally achieve this milestone, he exclaimed, "It really just feels like 'Finally.'"

The 2023 OTB Open has concluded, but the West Coast swing continues with two upcoming Silver Events: the Beaver State Fling and the Cascade Challenge.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/pierce-rolls-keith-triumphs-stockton