Paige Pierce Makes Stunning Comeback to Win Waco Charity Open

Paige Pierce is no stranger to making a statement on the disc golf course. But even she couldn't have predicted the dramatic turn of events that unfolded in the final round of the Waco Annual Charity Open. Trailing Sarah Hokom by six shots heading into the day, Pierce was determined to make up ground and push for a second consecutive title.

As the two players battled through the woods, Pierce closed the gap, leaving herself just one shot behind as they approached the first hole on Brazos Park East's open back stretch. But after adding four straight birdies to her tally, Pierce thought she had done enough to put pressure on Hokom. That was until disaster struck.

Pierce's momentum came to a grinding halt with a quadruple-bogey 8 on the fifth hole, thanks in part to indecision over whether to take a jump putt or up-and-over shot. The extra thought seemed to get in her head, and she ended up wide left of the pin, missing two putts from within 25 feet.

Meanwhile, Hokom was taking advantage of Pierce's mistake, carding a clean par and taking a two-shot lead into the final hole. But Pierce refused to give up. She took a deep breath, drew on her experience, and sought refuge in herself.

"I need to walk away from all the noise," Pierce said. "Nobody knows what to do better than myself after playing hundreds of tournaments."

As she approached the 17th tee pad with a huge gallery cheering her on, Pierce made a conscious decision to focus on her game rather than let the pressure get to her. She knew that if she could get a three on this hole, it would put her in contention for the win.

And when Hokom failed to execute her layup off the tee of the 492-foot sixth hole, Pierce sensed an opportunity. She drove for the green and managed to clear the Brazos River, but it was Hokom's mistake that ultimately sealed the deal.

The veteran player pitched up for a safer fourth attempt, leaving himself within 25 feet of the basket. But when he missed the par save – his eighth two-putt inside the circle of the round – Pierce was left with an easy birdie. If Hokom made his putt, the playoff would be on.

But in a stunning reversal of fortunes, Hokom failed to convert, and Pierce tapped in her birdie for back-to-back Waco titles. The comeback was nothing short of remarkable, cementing Pierce's undefeated status for 2018.

"I thought I'd knocked myself out of it," Pierce said, shaking her head. "But I managed to find a way back."

In the end, Pierce pocketed $1,185 for her 7-under par 194 weekend, while Hokom collected $830 for his 6-under par 195 showing. The victory marked the second consecutive Waco title for Pierce, who now leads the Disc Golf Pro Tour's points competition.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/pierce-comes-back-twice-waco-victory