Panis Shines Bright as WACO Champions Crowned

The green of the 53rd hole was where the drama unfolded in the Men's Open field at the Disc Golf Pro Tour - Waco Annual Charity Open. Nikko Locastro and Cale Leiviska were neck-and-neck, each vying for the top spot on the leaderboard. But it was Locastro who took home the win with a 77-foot birdie putt on the infamous 17th hole.

Locastro's victory marked his second PDGA Elite Series title in just nine months. He had previously won at the 2020 Preserve Championship, and this latest win cements his position as one of the top players in the field. Locastro entered Sunday's final round with a slim one-stroke lead, but it was clear he wasn't about to let this one slip away.

Leiviska, meanwhile, put up quite the fight. The Minnesota native surged ahead with five consecutive birdies on holes 4 through 8, including an incredible 70-foot putt on hole six. Locastro's lone bogey of the round on 12 gave Leiviska a chance to catch up, but in the end, it was just one stroke too far.

The Men's Open field saw high drama throughout the weekend, with Bradley Williams turning in a solid performance for third place. The Texas native went bogey-free in the final round and finished at 22-under par, one shot back of Leiviska and four strokes behind Locastro.

On the FPO side, Kona Star Panis made it clear that she's a force to be reckoned with as she claimed her first Elite Series title. The young player dominated nearly every category throughout the weekend, including strokes gained in tee-to-green, putting, and birdie percentage.

Panis' victory marked a major milestone for the rising star. She came into the final round with a commanding 10-stroke lead but refused to let off the gas pedal. After building her lead to 13 strokes at the midpoint of the final round, she rebounded from back-to-back bogies with two consecutive birdies.

The emotional Panis reflected on her win after tapping in her final putt, saying "I just understood my game... I knew what I needed to throw on each tee, where I wanted to land and how I could get a birdie." Her confidence was boosted by her preparation and putting skills, allowing her to take it all in.

Panis' win solidifies her position among the top FPO players. She had previously taken home the title at the DGPT's All-Star Weekend exhibition event earlier this year, but this latest victory marked a major accomplishment for the young player.

The Disc Golf Pro Tour returns on March 26 with the Texas State Disc Golf Championships in Tyler, Texas.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/panis-dominant-win-locastro-takes-thriller