Paige Pierce Secures Third US Women's Disc Golf Championship Title

In the hotly contested final round of the 2018 United States Women's Disc Golf Championship, held in Lansing, Michigan, Paige Pierce emerged victorious for the third time. The tournament saw a record-breaking 162 women competing on the Renegades Trail course, with Pierce consistently pushing herself to stay ahead of her rivals.

Pierce faced fierce competition from Holly Finley and Vanessa Van Dyken, who engaged in an intense battle throughout the four-hour round. The trio traded blows, with each player vying for control of the leaderboard. However, Pierce's 5-under-par 61 on the longest course configuration proved to be enough to secure her lead.

Despite a rocky start, which saw Pierce bogey on the second hole and momentarily share the lead with Finley, she quickly regained her footing. A pivotal moment arrived at the 9th hole (course hole 7), where Pierce carded a crucial birdie using a 50-foot putt. This marked a turning point in the round, as Pierce would never be caught again for the remaining 12 holes.

As the tournament drew to a close, Pierce remained focused and confident. She had previously acknowledged her concerns about maintaining a lead, stating that she wanted at least three strokes heading into the final hole. Finley and Van Dyken continued their efforts but ultimately fell short of catching Pierce.

In an interview following the game, Pierce reflected on the experience: "I was definitely worried. I told my caddy I wanted to have at least three strokes going into 17 because I knew I wasn't going to lose a stroke on 18." Her strategy paid off as she secured her lead and went on to win with a par on the final hole.

The competition also saw Kristin Tattar claim fourth place, while Catrina Allen and Zoe Andyke shared fifth spot. In the Pro Masters Women 40+ division, Elaine King added another impressive victory to her already storied disc golf career, winning with a 9-under-par total.

This year's USWDGC brought together an incredible group of talented women from around the world, showcasing their exceptional skills on the course. Congratulations to Paige Pierce and all participants for making this event an unforgettable experience.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/pierce-fends-finley-van-dyken-become-3x-us-womens-champion