Pierce's Resilience Pays Off as She Takes Lead at Beaver State Fling

The unpredictable weather at Milo McIver State Park's Riverbend East course was a far cry from a typical day of disc golf. The rain poured down, making the already-slick tee pads even more hazardous. But Paige Pierce refused to let the conditions get the best of her. She took advantage of the challenging circumstances to card a 2-over par 63 and claim the lead at the Beaver State Fling.

Pierce's round was marked by some notable struggles, particularly on holes 14 and 15. Despite having two clean drives that left her over 500 feet up the fairway, she hit a tree on her third shot and grip-locked her fourth to card a double-bogey 7 on both holes. However, she managed to par out of trouble and maintain her lead.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Van Dyken was dealing with her own set of issues early in the round. She struggled with wayward drives, but made a crucial adjustment on hole 7 by changing her run-up technique. This sparked a surge of accuracy down the stretch, allowing her to card a hot round of 1-over par 63 and move back onto the lead card.

Van Dyken's success was largely due to her mental toughness in the face of adversity. As the conditions worsened, she relied on her experience and focus to guide her through the challenges. "I was just trying to rationalize things," she explained. "I told myself I'm a disc golfer, and this is just one of many putts and drives I'll have in my life." This mindset allowed her to stay calm and composed, even when the rain was pouring down.

Valarie Jenkins continued her strong play, surprising many with her ability to perform at a high level after not throwing a disc since finishing the San Francisco Open two weekends prior. She currently leads the field in scramble rate (78 percent) and is second in circle 1 putting (94 percent). Jenkins' focus on hitting lines and avoiding trouble was crucial in survival mode, and she credited her mom with providing valuable support and encouragement.

As the final round approaches, Pierce will be looking to hold onto her lead. The reigning Beaver State Fling Champion expressed confidence that she can manage the conditions better than her opponents. "I developed a good lead through the middle of the round, but I let it falter," she said. "Today, I'll try to get a better grip on my disc and keep my hands dry." With Van Dyken and Jenkins hot on her heels, it's anyone's game as the players head into the final day of competition at the Beaver State Fling.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/after-rainy-round-pierce-gets-grip-bsf-lead